Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered to remove a U.S. missile system from the Philippines if China halts what he called 'aggressive and coercive behavior' in the South China Sea.

The US military deployed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines last year as part of an annual joint exercise, and Filipino troops have been training with it, with plans to acquire the system as a means to protect Manila's maritime interests.

The Philippines said on Saturday it had suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after its fisheries vessels faced "harassment" and aggressive behaviour from China's coast guard and navy.