Hypersonic Missiles and Politically Motivated Scare Tactics

Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has recently made a startling claim on TikTok that China is planning to target 25 sites across the Philippines with hypersonic missiles. However, upon closer inspection, this claim appears to be more politically motivated than based on concrete evidence.

The Pro-China Alliance

Marcos is known to be close to Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who had a more China-friendly approach to foreign policy compared to the current administration. Both Senator Marcos and the Dutertes have been exposed to be pro-China in their stance, often spreading misinformation and fake news to further their agenda.

Scaremongering on TikTok

The absurdity of Marcos making such a claim on TikTok, instead of through official national security channels, highlights the political nature of her statement. The tone she employed in her video is clearly aimed at scaremongering and creating a sense of fear among Filipinos.

A Veiled Warning Against the US-Philippine Alliance

Analysts suggest that Marcos' statement is a veiled message against the Philippines' growing military ties with the US under her brother's administration. By claiming that China is targeting the country due to these alliances, she is cautioning against becoming too aligned with the US.

Lack of Evidence and Official Response

The senator did not provide any evidence for her claims, and the National Security Council of the Philippines has downplayed the threat, stating that there is no imminent attack from China. Some pointed out that such missiles would difficult to mass produce. Strategically, these weapons would be put to better use by attacking targets of higher value.

In conclusion, Senator Imee Marcos' claim about Chinese hypersonic missile attacks appears to be more politically motivated than based on actual security threats. Her pro-China stance and alliance with the Dutertes, combined with the absurdity of making such a claim on TikTok, suggest that her message is aimed at undermining the Philippines' military relationship with the US, which runs counter to her preferences. It is crucial for the public to be aware of the political nature of these claims and to rely on official sources and reputable news outlets for accurate information regarding such matters.