Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Friday shrugged off China’s warning against the Philippines’ plan to procure mid-range missiles to bolster its defense capabilities. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila, Teodoro said the Philippines has the right to have a missile system if it wants to. “We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law. China does not have the force of law on its side.
” Teodoro, however, said the planned missile acquisition is not yet final and not limited to the US’ Typhon missile system. “Because there must be consent to sell. However, we are planning to have such kinds of capabilities. I'm not saying the Typhon. I'm saying such kinds of capabilities,” he said, Teodoro, nevertheless, said the Philippines and the US would review its bilateral cooperation during the visit of his counterpart, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, to Manila this week.