IMEE MARCOS UNCOVERS ALLEGED CHINESE 'HYPERSONIC MISSILES' PLAN

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Senator Imee Marcos went viral with some interesting claims about an alleged Chinese attack brewing in the Philippines. The said plan was said to specifically target our military bases.

In the recently published video, the senator caused quite a stir on social media as she claimed that there was a Chinese plan in place to target the Philippines using hypersonic missiles. She also said that the United States couldn't counter the said missiles if in case they were used.

The said threat was broadcast on Tiktok and Facebook, garnering 900,000 and 100,000 views, respectively.

According to the senator and sister of Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., China had 25 targets around the Philippines and would effectively cause harm to islands like Batanes, which was said to be one of Beijing's first targets. The area is geographically close to Taiwan, and considering the tensions between the United States and China, it would be met with a healthy curiosity from viewers.

As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair, Marcos, of course, is expected to have knowledge of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites of the Philippines and the United States. But the comments have left more people baffled. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), nevertheless, made it clear that they would be willing to coordinate with the Senator.

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What Are Hypersonic Missiles and How Deadly Are They?

According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, hypersonic weaponry has been around since the mid-20th century. These are understood as weapons that travel at Mach-5 or faster, which means they travel at least five times the speed of sound. Ballistic missiles have long possessed these speeds. They are known for their significant maneuverability and their accurate targeting.

However, the hypersonic weapons of today are even more advanced in their capabilities. One key difference between ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles is that the former follows a parabolic trajectory for their target. Meanwhile, hypersonic missiles reenter the atmosphere at a faster pace. To make matters worse for opponents, these kinds of weapons are difficult to detect or intercept with what would be ordinary air defense systems.

More countries in the world are looking to deploy such weapons as they hope to gain some leverage. Russia and China have flexed their collection of hypersonic weapons in the past. Moscow has even had them tested out in the field.

Several months after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) came to light in November 2022, the state said that they had a hypersonic missile, as well. In the case of the United States, their hypersonic weapons arm still trails Russia and China's technology.

There are still challenges to them though. The sheer speed of the missiles produces superheated particles, ultimately making them hard for radio communications to reach.

DND, AFP Try to Clarify the Claims With Senator Imee Marcos

The subject would be met with skepticism by the national security council and the Philippines' defense department.

"Regarding Senator Imee Marcos' statement about 25 areas potentially targeted by China's hypersonic missiles due to EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites and the West Philippine Sea scenario, the AFP takes such concerns seriously. We are ready to coordinate with Senator Marcos to obtain details and take appropriate actions to ensure our nation's security," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a message to the press, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

The Department of National Defense (DND) would also downplay Marcos' claims. The senator provided no information on her sources on the matter.

"The Defense Department has no basis for a comment or reaction to Sen. Marcos’ video, because we have not seen nor read the plans that she referred to," spokesperson Arsenio Andolong would respond in a statement.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have increased as of late, especially after past aggressions by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG). On Monday, June 17, the Philippines attempted to conduct a routine supply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, which is about 100 nautical miles away from Palawan. The mission, however, faced aggression from the CCG. According to the AFP, the CCG employed "physical attacks, bladed weapons, blaring sirens, and blinding strobe lights."

The confrontation would lead to severe injuries for members of the local coast guard. In the series of videos released by the AFP on social media, the CCG personnel would be seen attaching ropes to the RHIB while threatening the AFP soldier. Sirens created confusion.

The Philippines and China are stuck in a deadlock in terms of the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China refuses to affirm the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Last Tuesday, July 2, however, China and the Philippines would agree to de-escalate the tensions that come from the West Philippine Sea conflict as both foreign affairs ministries met. The Department of Foreign Affairs would make it clear that the dialogue and exchange should be met with mutual respect and to maintain peace in the region. It was also reported recently that after the Chinese Coast Guard's monster CCG 5901 appeared around Philippine waters last June, it would be pulled back. Other Chinese vessels have followed suit.

2024-07-04T06:07:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd