The Philippines has taken a bold stance regarding its ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. In a noteworthy address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that he is willing to remove the U.S. Typhon missile system from the Philippines if China agrees to halt its aggressive and coercive actions in the contested waters.

“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, and stop your aggressive behavior, and I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” Marcos asserted during an event in Cebu according to the LA Times.

The Typhon missile system, which has been a source of contention between Manila and Beijing, was installed in the Philippines as part of a defense agreement with the United States. Capable of striking targets up to 1,000 miles away, the system enhances the Philippines' military capabilities in a region marked by increasing tensions due to Chinese expansionism. President Marcos noted that the Philippines does not comment on Chinese military systems, which he claimed are “a thousand times more powerful” than what the Philippines possesses as reported by Newsweek.

China has frequently criticized the Typhon system as a provocative move that exacerbates regional tensions, with Chinese officials demanding its withdrawal since its deployment according to AP News. Despite these demands, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has staunchly defended the Typhon's presence as integral to national security and a permissible strategy to counter Chinese incursions.

The proposal from Marcos Jr. is perceived by some analysts as more rhetorical than realistic, given the improbability that China would agree to cease its territorial claims in the South China Sea, as noted by SCMP. Moreover, experts suggest that such an offer may highlight China’s hypocritical stance in criticizing U.S. military presence while expanding its own military capabilities in the region.

As tensions escalate, the actions taken by both nations will be critical to watch, particularly given the historical backdrop of maritime confrontations that have seen Chinese vessels engage with Philippine assets aggressively.

The situation remains delicate, and China’s response to Marcos Jr.'s public offer is awaited, with the potential for significant implications on regional stability as highlighted by Reuters.