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.

The Philippines will “return” the Typhon missile launchers to the United States if China will drop its claim on the West Philippine Sea and stop its harassment of Filipino vessels. It was an off-the-cuff offer made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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