Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proposed removing a US missile system from his country if China ceases its “aggressive and coercive behavior” in the disputed South China Sea.
The US Army installed the Typhon mid-range missile system in northern Philippines in April 2023, under a military agreement aimed at enhancing joint combat preparedness between the two allies. However, China has repeatedly called for its removal, claiming it fuels regional tensions and arms competition.
During a press briefing in Cebu province, Marcos dismissed China’s concerns, pointing out the disparity in military capabilities.
“Let’s make a deal with China: Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and we’ll return the Typhon missiles. Let them stop everything they’re doing and I’ll return all of those.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
China Denounces US Presence
China has yet to respond directly to Marcos’ remarks, but last week, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the Philippines of “creating tensions and antagonism in the region” by allowing the US to position missile systems on its territory. Mao described it as “a highly dangerous move and an extremely irresponsible choice.”
The missile system, which includes launchers and at least 16 Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was recently relocated closer to Manila, according to a senior Philippine official.
This shift places the missiles within range of parts of mainland China, adding to Beijing’s unease. The official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the system would remain in the Philippines indefinitely.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro rejected China’s demand for the system’s removal, stating that it was a matter of national security. Meanwhile, tensions have continued to rise as Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces repeatedly clash in the South China Sea. Incidents involving water cannons, ramming of boats, and laser attacks have escalated the situation, drawing international condemnation.
The South China Sea remains a hotspot for territorial disputes, with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also laying claims to portions of the region. Beyond its strategic importance as a global shipping route, the area is believed to hold vast undersea deposits of oil and gas, further fueling competition among claimants.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Manila of Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines in the face of Chinese provocation in the South China Sea, during his first call with Philippines Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.
Rubio criticized Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” in the call on Wednesday, January 29, with Manalo, which the US’s top diplomat said violated international law.“Secretary Rubio conveyed that [China’s] behavior undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law,” the State Department said in a statement.
Washington and the Philippines, a former US colony, signed the Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951 stipulating that both countries would come to one another’s defence if they faced attack.
Analysts note that the Philippines’ deepening military cooperation with the US sends a strong signal to Beijing, reaffirming Manila’s stance against Chinese incursions. The continued presence of US forces in the region, including joint exercises and military installations, reflects Washington’s commitment to defending its allies and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.
As Marcos challenges China’s actions while reinforcing ties with the US, the region braces for the next move in a geopolitical standoff that shows no signs of de-escalation.
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