China’s irresponsible actions, in the high seas of the West Philippine Sea, was escalated up to the skies. As Chinese fighter jets, executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane, on routine patrol over the horizon of the Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 11, condemned Chinese air force actions in waters of the South China Sea, claimed by both countries, calling the actions unjustified, illegal and reckless.
The Philippine military chief condemned Saturday’s Chinese air force actions, what he said was the provocative actions of two Chinese air force aircraft, that executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane on routine patrol in the South China Sea.
All those aboard the Philippine air force N C-212i light transport plane, were unharmed, and returned safely to Clark Air Base north of Manila, after Thursday morning’s incident over the Scarborough Shoal, Gen. Romeo Brawner said, without providing other details.
A top Philippine security official told The Associated Press, that the Chinese jets flew at a very close distance to the Philippine air force turbo-prop plane. And put the lives of the pilots, in real risk and danger. Another security officer said at least eight flares came from the Chinese fighter jets.
Manila and Beijing accused each other on Aug 10, of disrupting their militaries’ operations around Scarborough Shoal. It was the first incident this year since Mr. Marcos took office in 2022 in which the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels.
The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army said in a statement Saturday, that a Philippine Air Force aircraft on Thursday had illegally entered the airspace above Huangyan Island — the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal, which China claims — and disrupted its training activities.
According to the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, the command sent jets and ships to identify, track and drive away the Philippine aircraft. The on-site operation was professional, standardized, legitimate and justified, adding that forces remained on high alert and ready to defend China’s national sovereignty and security. The command has warned the Philippines to stop its infringement, provocation, distortion and hyping-up, the statement added.
However, the Philippines strongly opposed the statement of The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The Philippines AFP Chief Romeo Brawner said in a statement, that the incident posed a threat to Philippine air force aircraft, and its crew. Interfered with lawful flight operations in airspace within Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and contravened international law and regulations governing safety of aviation.
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