President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was not expecting any response from China when he offered a deal on the possible withdrawal of the United States-made mid-range capability (MRC) missile system, also known as the Typhon launcher, from the Philippines.

“No. I didn't expect them to and they have [not] responded specifically,” this was the answer of the President when asked if China has responded after making his proposal during a press conference in Malacañang Palace on Thursday. 

Marcos noted that no talks have so far been made about the pullout of the missile system. 

“They responded in general terms, saying what they do is a lawful exercise of the authority of law enforcement. But, no. Nothing specific [about] the missiles, nothing specific about the reduction of tension, and the reduction of aggressive moves, nothing like that. Wala kaming napag-usapan na ganoon (We did not discuss anything like that),” he said.

Marcos lamented China’s insistence on claiming almost the entire South China Sea, encroaching on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) — the center of tension between Manila and Beijing. 

China has been demanding the Philippines to pull out the US-made missile system saying its presence in Manila “provokes growing tension and instability” in the Indo-Pacific region. 

In a previous interview, Marcos said the Philippines might consider China’s demand to withdraw the Typhon missile launcher if it also stops incursions in the WPS. 

“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, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and I’ll return the typhoon missiles. Itigil nila ‘yung ginagawa nila, ibabalik ko lahat ‘yan (If they stop it, I will return all of these),” Marcos said.

The President also criticized China for commenting on the Philippines’ initiatives to enhance its defense capabilities. 

China has repeatedly accused the Philippines of “inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.”