3-7-2024 (MANILA) A prominent Philippine lawmaker has ignited a firestorm of controversy with her recent claims regarding alleged Chinese plans to target the archipelago with hypersonic missiles. Senator Imee Marcos, sister to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, made the startling assertion in a video that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
In her contentious TikTok and Facebook posts, which have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, Senator Marcos alleged that China had identified 25 potential targets across the Philippines for hypersonic missile strikes. She specifically mentioned the northern Batanes islands, situated close to Taiwan, as being among the primary targets.
The timing of this provocative statement coincided with ongoing talks between the Philippines and China concerning their territorial dispute in the South China Sea, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already delicate diplomatic situation.
Senator Marcos offered no concrete evidence to support her claims, framing them within a broader argument that her brother’s strengthened ties with the United States have led China to perceive the Philippines as a potential threat. “Let’s admit the problem: That China thinks we have sided with their enemy,” she stated in the video.
The National Security Council of the Philippines has responded to these assertions with caution. Spokesman Jonathan Malaya indicated that the council was “not aware of any of the security threats she mentioned” and emphasised the continued cordial relations between the Philippines and China. He added that there was no perceived threat of an imminent attack from Beijing.
This incident highlights the growing tensions in the region, particularly in light of the Philippines’ recent military agreement with the United States. China has accused Manila of “stoking the fire” of regional tensions through this agreement and has condemned the deployment of US Typhon missiles in the Philippines during joint military exercises.
