The United States and the Philippines agreed to expand their military cooperation by deploying advanced US missile systems in the Philippines. This step aims to strengthen deterrence amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The announcement came after annual bilateral talks held Monday in Manila. US and Philippine officials discussed broadening security, political, and economic ties, along with closer teamwork with regional partners. In a joint statement released Tuesday, the allies outlined plans to increase joint military exercises and support the modernization of the Philippine armed forces. They said efforts include “to increase deployments of US cutting-edge missile and unmanned systems to the Philippines.” The statement said, "Both sides condemned China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities in the South China Sea, recognizing their adverse effects on regional peace and stability and the economies of the Indo-Pacific and beyond." It added the two countries support "preserving freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and other lawful uses of the sea for all nations." China has strongly opposed US missile deployments in the Philippines, warning they threaten regional peace and aim to contain China’s rise. It asked Manila to remove the launchers, but Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s government rejected the demand. Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the talks discussed the possible deployment this year of "upgraded" US missile launchers, which the Philippines might buy later. He explained, "It’s a kind of system that’s really very sophisticated and will be deployed here in the hope that, down the road, we will be able to get our own." The US Army deployed the Typhon mid-range missile system to Luzon in April 2024. This land-based system can fire Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles with a range over 1,000 miles (1,600 km), putting parts of China within reach from northern Philippines. Also, the US Marines placed the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System on Batan island in Batanes province last year. This island faces the Bashi Channel, a vital route south of Taiwan. Romualdez stressed the deployments are "purely for deterrence." He said, "Every time the Chinese show any kind of aggression, it only strengthens our resolve to have these types." Tensions between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels have risen recently in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim parts of the waters.