Chinese fighters harass Philippine surveillance flight

Still from a video shared by Inquirer.net on X (formerly Twitter) show a Chinese fighter dropping flares in the air space while a Philippine aircraft was conducting a maritime security operation near Scarborough Shoal. 

By Joe M. Reyes | Date 08-15-2024

MANILA — Two Chinese multi-role fighters intercepted a Philippine Air Force plane on a surveillance mission, raising tension in the West Philippine Sea.

One of the People’s Liberation Army-Air Force (PLA-AF) dropped flares on the path of the Philippine Air Force’s NC-212i while it was conducting a maritime security operations near Scarborough Shoal.

In a statement, General Romeo Brawner Jr. the Armed Forces chief of staff, denounced China’s actions, saying it put the lives of the air force pilots in danger.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines strongly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) that endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations recently within Philippine maritime zones,” Brawner said in a statement.

“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.”

Brawner said the military had reported the incident to the Department of Foreign Affairs and relevant government agencies.

This was the first time Chinese fighters figured in an incident with the Philippine Air Force in the West Philippine Sea.

In the past, Philippine aircraft were challenged when flying into disputed waters by Chinese vessels. There were also instances when these vessels trained lasers into the aircraft.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone, a violation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In June 2012, China seized control of Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. It had prevented local fishermen from accessing the rich fishing ground.

Military spokesmen, Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said they could not immediately identify the specific type of Chinese aircraft involved in the incident.

The pilots and the crew of the NC-212i aircraft returned to Clark Air Base an hour later. “All personnel on board were unharmed,” he said.