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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has offered to remove a U.S. missile system from his country if China stops its aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.
Speaking to reporters on Friday in Cebu province, Marcos said China must stop claiming Philippine territory, harassing fishermen, ramming boats, using water cannons, and firing lasers at Philippine vessels. In return, he promised to send back the U.S. Typhon missile system.
"Let them stop everything they are doing, and I will return all of those," Marcos said.
U.S. Missiles in the Philippines
The U.S. Army installed the Typhon mid-range missile system in northern Philippines in April last year as part of joint training with the Philippine military.
The system includes Tomahawk and Standard Missile-6 missiles, which have the range to strike parts of mainland China. Recently, it was moved closer to Manila, near areas of rising tensions between Chinese and Philippine forces.
China’s Reaction
China has strongly opposed the U.S. missile system in the Philippines, calling it a move that fuels conflict and an arms race. Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Philippines was "creating tensions and inciting confrontation."
However, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has dismissed China’s demand to remove the missile system, saying it is an internal matter.
Rising Tensions in the South China Sea
The South China Sea has been a hotspot for conflicts, with China and the Philippines frequently clashing.
The Philippines has accused China of illegally occupying its territories, while China insists on its sweeping claims over the waterway.
Other countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the region.
The situation remains tense, with no immediate response from China to Marcos' offer.