MANILA. The Philippines, along with its security allies, will take necessary actions to counter any efforts by China to establish an air defense zone or restrict flight freedom over the South China Sea, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned on Wednesday. His statement follows a series of confrontations between Chinese aircraft and those of the Philippines, the United States, and Australia.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Teodoro described China’s escalating aggression in the disputed waters as the greatest external threat to the Philippines’ national security, emphasizing that it should be recognized as a global threat. He explained that such actions could disrupt a vital trade route crucial for global supply chains.

“The greatest external threat actually is Chinese aggression, Chinese expansionism and the attempt by China to change the international law through the use of force or acquiescence… or its attempt to reshape the world order to one that it controls,” Teodoro stated.

While there was no immediate response from Chinese officials, tensions over the strategic waterway have been intensifying. Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, and territorial disputes have involved not only the Philippines but also Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

In the last two years, confrontations between Chinese forces and Philippine coast guard and navy personnel have spiked. Recent encounters, including instances of Chinese military aircraft firing warning flares or flying dangerously close to U.S., Australian, and Philippine patrol aircraft, have escalated the situation.

Teodoro disclosed that defense officials have been preparing for the possibility that China might impose an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) or an exclusion zone to restrict foreign aircraft in what China claims as its airspace over the South China Sea. He stressed that any such move would be a significant violation of international law, requiring a firm response.

“That is a very serious transgression of international law, which will demand our response,” said Teodoro, a U.S.-educated lawyer and licensed commercial pilot. “The Philippines will take a combination of measures singularly and with like-minded nations to counteract” any such actions by China, he added, though he did not go into detail on the measures being considered.

Tensions in the Air

The warnings come after a series of alarming incidents in the region. Last month, a Chinese navy helicopter flew dangerously close to a Philippine patrol plane near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese aircraft came within 10 feet (3 meters) of the Philippine plane, which was on a low-altitude patrol. The Filipino pilot radioed: “You are flying too close, you are very dangerous.” The tense standoff lasted for about 30 minutes, with the Chinese helicopter hovering closely or flying to the left of the Philippine aircraft, despite the poor weather conditions.

In a statement, the Chinese military, referring to the area as Huangyan Island, claimed the Philippine plane had “illegally entered the airspace of China’s Huangyan Island without the Chinese government’s permission.”

In another recent incident, Australia condemned a Chinese J-16 fighter jet for firing flares that passed within 30 meters (100 feet) of an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance jet. China’s foreign ministry responded by accusing the Australian jet of “deliberately” entering Chinese airspace over the Paracel Islands.

The U.S. military has also reported similar encounters in the past, where Chinese aircraft have engaged in aggressive maneuvers over the disputed waters. The U.S. has maintained a presence in the region to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, regularly deploying fighter jets and navy vessels to assert these rights.

A Growing Coalition

Teodoro also touched on the emerging security alliances among Asian and Western nations, including the Philippines, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, which could form a broader coalition to counter China’s increasing assertiveness. China has accused the U.S. and its allies of “ganging up” against Beijing and jeopardizing regional security. However, Teodoro maintained that China’s actions were prompting nations in the Indo-Pacific to unite against its growing influence.

Despite concerns about past U.S. foreign policy moves under former President Donald Trump, Teodoro expressed confidence in the enduring strength of the Philippines’ treaty alliance with the United States, which has weathered decades of geopolitical challenges.

“The Philippines has a truly unique relationship with the United States,” Teodoro affirmed, highlighting the resilience of the long-standing alliance. “It has stood the test of time.”