Fretful of Trump, Philippines floats missile compromise with China
The Philippines’ high-stakes gamble of offering to remove US medium-range missiles in exchange for China’s restraint in contested waterways puts Manila at the center of a geopolitical storm where shifting alliances and great-power pragmatism could make or break its national interests.
Last month, multiple media outlets reported that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had proposed a quid pro quo deal to China to remove the US Typhon missile system from Philippine territory if China ceased its aggression in the South China Sea.
Marcos Jr, responding to Chinese demands for the missile system’s withdrawal, highlighted China’s missile capabilities, emphasizing that China’s arsenal far surpasses the Philippines’.
He asserted that if China halts its territorial claims, harassment of Philippine fishermen and confrontations at sea—including ramming, water cannoning and laser targeting Philippine vessels—he would return the Typhon missiles to the US.
The Philippines will train with the US Typhon missile system this month before joint drills. The training aims to familiarize a new platoon from the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment with the system.
The US deployed the Typhon system in 2024 during joint military exercises, but it has remained in the Philippines amid escalating tensions with China. Recently relocated to an undisclosed location, the system includes Tomahawk and Standard Missile-6 weapons capable of striking parts of mainland China.
China has condemned its presence and accused the Philippines of inciting regional instability and escalating an arms race. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro dismissed China’s objections, calling them interference in domestic affairs.
Marcos Jr’s bold stance underscores