The Philippine military chief has condemned the recent actions of two Chinese air force aircraft that engaged in a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane during a routine patrol in the South China Sea. The incident occurred over the Scarborough Shoal, with all crew members aboard the Philippine air force NC-212i light transport plane returning safely to Clark Air Base.
According to Philippine security officials, the Chinese jets flew at a very close distance to the Philippine aircraft, putting the lives of the pilots at risk. At least eight flares were reportedly dropped by the Chinese fighter jets during the encounter.
The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army stated that the Philippine Air Force aircraft had illegally entered the airspace above Huangyan Island, disrupting Chinese training activities. The command defended its response as professional, standardized, legitimate, and justified, emphasizing its commitment to defending China’s national sovereignty and security.
Gen. Romeo Brawner of the Philippine military expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the threat posed to Philippine air force aircraft and crew. He emphasized that the incident violated international law and regulations governing aviation safety and sovereignty.
The Philippines has lodged diplomatic protests against China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters, reaffirming its commitment to exercising its rights in accordance with international law. Despite the incident, the Philippines remains resolute in conducting patrols in the contested region.
The South China Sea is a hotspot for territorial disputes, with multiple countries, including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, making overlapping claims. Tensions have escalated in recent years, particularly between Chinese and Philippine forces in disputed areas like the Scarborough Shoal and the Second Thomas Shoal.
The U.S. military has also encountered similar provocative maneuvers by Chinese air force planes in the region. The U.S. has deployed assets to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, prompting objections from China over what it perceives as threats to regional security.
Washington has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines, its longstanding treaty ally in Asia, in the event of any armed attack on Filipino forces in the South China Sea.
