IN the event of a China attack, 25 areas in the Philippines are potential targets of hypersonic missiles, according to Sen. Imee Marcos.
This comes as Sen. Marcos took a swipe at the increase in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites and the brewing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Among the areas which Marcos claimed as at risk included the Ilocos region which plays host to war games between Manila and Washington.
Another target, she said, are Batanes and Subic in Zambales, where new missiles are reportedly installed.
“Natatakot talaga ako habang umiinit diyan sa West Philippine Sea, may nakita ako na plano ng China na gagamitin yung hypersonic missile,” Marcos said in a video posted on her official Facebook page.
Imee also made a categorical claim that China would first take on Batanes and Subic.
“Nakatakda na yung 25 na target nila, kitang kita na. Kasi sa pagbabasa natin may mga BrahMos missile na sa Batanes pati sa Subic, so yung dalawang yun ang uunahin kasama ang Ilocos kasi mga mga live fire na Balikatan. Nakakatakot nga eh, 25 ha. Hindi biro yun,” added the senator in reference to the state-of-the-art supersonic cruise missiles which could be launched from submarines, ships, planes, or land platforms.
Acquired by the Philippines from the Indo-Russian defense contractor BrahMos aerospace, the Brahmos missiles (which arrived in the country in April) has a range of 290 to 400 kilometers, and traveling three times faster than the speed of sound.
What’s worse, she furhter claimed, is the US admission that there is no “iron dome” that could prevent or cushion such strikes.
“Ang sabi ng US, hindi daw nila kaya labanan yung hypersonic missile. Mas lalo akong ninerbyos kasi akala ko kapag missile meron yung ibang bansa yung tinatawag na iron dome, yung hindi makakapasok yung missile. Kapag hypersonic daw kayang kaya pumasok, ganyan daw kadali. Durog daw. E ano bang klase yun?” the senator further stated.
Marcos said that aside from the West Philippine Sea tensions, China’s possible move is also due to Manila’s allowing more Edca sites in the country.
“Aminin natin ang problema talaga, dahil sa tingin ng China, talagang kumampi na tayo sa kalaban nila. Nagbigay tayo ng 17 na base militar sa pakiwari nila, yung Edca sites. Talagang mainit ang ulo nila.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
