President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday spoke, albeit with a big caveat, about the possible withdrawal of the United States-made mid-range capability (MRC) missile system, also known as the Typhon launcher, from the Philippines.

In an ambush interview, Marcos said the Philippines might consider China’s demand if Beijing would stop its incursions into the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Let’s make a deal with China: Stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them earn a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water-cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and I’ll return the Typhon missiles,” he told reporters.

“If they stop what they’re doing, I will return all of it,” he added. Marcos criticized China for commenting on the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its defense capabilities.

This came after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeatedly slammed the movements of the missile launcher to another location, reiterating that the Philippines’ actions are “inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.”

The dispute over the West Philippine Sea is at the core of tensions between the Philippines and China.

Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the WPS, based on its so-called “nine-dash line.”

This expansive claim overlaps with the territories of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s sweeping claims.

The tribunal found that China had no legal basis to assert historical rights over maritime areas within the Philippine EEZ. It also recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights over key features, including the Scarborough Shoal and portions of the Spratly Islands.

Despite the ruling, China has refused to acknowledge or abide by the decision, continuing its militarization of artificial islands, harassment of Filipino fishermen, and aggressive maneuvers against Philippine vessels.

Marcos’ remarks highlighted the Philippines’ growing frustration over China’s repeated incursions. The deployment of the US-made Typhon missile system is seen as part of Manila’s efforts to bolster its defense posture amid increasing Chinese activities in the region.

In response to Mao Ning’s comments, Marcos said, “I don’t understand the comments on the Typhon missile system. We don’t make any comments on their missile systems, and their missile systems are a thousand times more powerful than what we have.”