President Ferdinand Marcos said Thursday his government will remove a US missile system from the Philippines if Beijing ends its "aggressive and coercive behaviour" in the contested South China Sea and ceases claiming Filipino territory.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has offered to remove a U.S. missile system from the Philippines if China halts what he called its “aggressive and coercive behavior” in the disputed South China Sea.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday challenged China to stop its 'aggressive and coercive behavior' and its claiming of territory in the West Philippine Sea and said he would return a Typhon missile system to the United States.

U.S. Army deploys Typhon missile system in Philippines, sparking tensions with China over territorial disputes in South China Sea.

The arrests come as confrontations between the two Asian neighbours over contested reefs and waters in the strategic South China Sea have escalated in recent months

Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the “provisional understanding” between Manila and Beijing on the rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal should not be expanded to cover other features in the West Philippine Sea.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday told China that he would return the Typhon missile system to the United States only if it stopped harassing Filipino vessels and claiming territory in the West Philippine Sea.

China's coast guard continues its weeklong presence near the Philippines' Zambales Province in what one analyst calls "a new level of sustained intensity."

Almost 3 million people gathered and participated in the activities for this year's Chinese New Year celebration in Manila on Jan. 29, an official said Thursday. In a statement, City Administrator Bernie Ang said the annual celebration was successful,

MANILA must continue building its ties with other countries in the international community as Beijing is expected to continue its aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea this year, foreign affairs and security analysts said.

Philippine Airlines will boost its connectivity to mainland China with the launch of non-stop Manila to Beijing flights

Visibly irked by China’s remark that the Philippines should pull out the US Typhon missile launchers, President Marcos yesterday said he would heed the call if Beijing stops claiming Manila’s territory and engaging in aggressive behavior.