Philippines Will Return U.S. Missile If China Stops Aggression In South China Sea

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made an offer to China: stop its aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, and the Philippines will return the U.S.-built Typhon missile system.

The Typhon is a mobile launcher for SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, which can strike naval and land targets up to 1,000 miles away, enough to reach mainland China from the northern Philippines.

The U.S. Army installed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines in April 2024 to support joint combat readiness training between the U.S. and the Philippines.

In response to China’s repeated criticism of the missile system, Marcos told reporters that he didn’t understand China’s position. He said that the Philippines does not comment on China’s missile system, which is much more powerful than the Typhon.

Marcos put forward a deal with China: if China stopped claiming Philippine territory, harassing Filipino fishermen, ramming Philippine boats, using water cannons on Philippine vessels, firing lasers at Philippine boats and engaging in aggressive actions, then the Philippines would return the Typhon missile system to the U.S.

China has continuously criticised the Philippines for allowing the Typhon missile system in its territory, saying it incites geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.

Chinese officials have called for the missile system’s removal, claiming it is a dangerous move that will increase tensions in the region.

Marcos added that the missile system is not a threat but is part of a defence cooperation agreement with the U.S. He said the Philippines has refrained from commenting on China’s missile systems, which are much more advanced.

The Typhon missile system is now positioned closer to the capital, Manila, following its repositioning a few weeks ago, after consultation between Philippine and U.S defense officials.

It is placed in a strategic area where Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard and navy forces have been involved in tense faceoffs in the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western part of the country.

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Over the past few years, the China Coast Guard has blocked Philippine vessels through aggressive tactics like shoulder checking, water-cannoning, and manoeuvring to block Philippine boats. The Philippines has not responded with force but has voiced its objections diplomatically.

Despite Chinese objections, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro rejected China’s demand for the missile system’s removal, calling it interference in the Philippines’ internal affairs. The Philippines, along with the U.S. had criticised China’s increasingly assertive actions in the region.

China has its vast missile force, airbases, and the world’s largest navy, including the world’s largest coast guard, which has been increasing its presence in the Philippine waters.

Still, the Philippines maintains that the missile system is needed for its defence and cooperation with the U.S.

The South China Sea is a key shipping route, and it is believed to contain large undersea deposits of oil and gas, which makes the territorial disputes in the region highly sensitive.

Aside from the Philippines and China, other countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have claims to parts of the South China Sea.

References: Washington Post, AP News

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