President Marcos has called on China to give earlier warnings before launching rockets that pass near Philippine waters, following the recent launch of a Chinese rocket whose debris was projected to fall close to Palawan.

Speaking to Manila-based reporters during a media briefing in Bangalore, India, the President said the incident was not the first of its kind and did not violate any international rules.

Still, he stressed that better coordination would help avoid unnecessary risks.

“We just wish that perhaps they could warn us a little earlier so that we know that the path of the rocket, where the path is, and kung magbibitaw sila ng stages kung saan babagsak (if they will drop stages, where they will fall),” Marcos said.

The President recalled raising the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an earlier visit to Beijing, offering a practical arrangement for future launches.

“You know, we have no interest in your rockets. Just tell us where they will land, we will collect it and give it to you,” he said.

Marcos said the offer still stands, noting that there is no need for China to retrieve any debris itself.

“Anong gagawin namin d’yan (And what would we do with the rockets)?” he said.

“Sabihan nyo kami kung saan dadaan ‘yung rocket. ‘Pag may babagsak, kukunin namin sa dagat tapos dadalhin namin sa inyo (Just tell us where the rocket will pass. If something falls, we will retrieve it from the sea and bring it to you),” he added.

The good thing, the President said, was that the latest launch did not cause any harm.

“Wala namang casualty. Wala namang tinamaan. Hindi naman nagka-problema (There were no casualties. Nothing was hit. There was no problem),” he said.

In the same press briefing, President Marcos said the Philippines and India have committed to expanding joint defense activities, including maritime exercises, as part of a broader security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Definitely, there is a commitment for India to have a larger profile in terms of the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The President noted that Philippine and Indian naval vessels were already conducting exercises even before he arrived in India.

“Nung umalis tayo sa Maynila, meron ng exercises, dalawang vessel ng India, at saka dalawang vessel ng Pilipinas (When we left Manila, there were already exercises involving two Indian vessels and two Philippine vessels),” he said.

Meanwhile, Marcos stressed that security cooperation should not be limited to military aspects, citing the role of economic growth and trade in strengthening stability.

“We should not ever limit ourselves to just defense and security. Because the economy plays a part in defense and security,” he said.

“Pagpatibay din ng mga ekonomiya natin, pagpalakas ng ating trade, pagpaganda ng ating relasyon, eh kasama lahat ‘yan (Strengthening our economies, boosting trade, and improving our relations are all part of it),” he said.