Two Philippine officials say that American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to boost deterrance despite China’s expressions of alarm.

The US Army said in April it had deployed the Typhon mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines for annual joint military exercises, but did not pull it out after the war games. The two countries are bound by a mutual defence pact.

American and Filipino security officials have decided to keep the US mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely, despite China's objections. The move aims to bolster regional deterrence.

Armed with a Tomahawk missile, the system is capable of striking the South China Sea, all of mainland Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and the entire eastern portion of China as far north as Beijing.

Gilberto Teodoro Jnr challenged China to dismantle its nuclear arsenal before criticising the presence of US missiles in the Philippines.