Philippine Senator Claims Chinese Plan to Target Country

Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and head of the senate foreign relations committee, sparked controversy by alleging on social media that China planned to target the Philippines with hypersonic missiles, naming 25 potential targets. Despite her claims, the Philippines' national security council expressed unawareness of such a threat, and China's defense and foreign ministries have not responded to requests for comments. Marcos provided no evidence to support her assertions, linking China's perceived threat to the Philippines with her brother's closer ties to the United States and opposing policies regarding China. The situation has raised tensions amid talks on the South China Sea territorial dispute, with the national security council seeking further information from Marcos to verify the alleged security threats.