MANILA. The Philippine military has condemned provocative actions by two Chinese air force jets that endangered a Philippine Air Force patrol plane in the South China Sea. The incident occurred on Thursday morning over Scarborough Shoal, resulting in no injuries but raising significant concerns.
According to Gen. Romeo Brawner, the Philippine Air Force NC-212i light transport plane safely returned to Clark Air Base north of Manila after the incident. The military chief did not disclose further details but emphasized that all personnel aboard were unharmed.
A senior Philippine security official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, reported that the Chinese jets flew dangerously close to the Philippine aircraft and deployed at least eight flares. “The Chinese jets flew at a very close distance to our plane and put the lives of our pilots in real risk and danger,” the official said.
In response, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army claimed that the Philippine aircraft had “illegally” entered airspace above Huangyan Island—China’s name for Scarborough Shoal—and disrupted their training exercises. The Chinese command stated that their jets and ships were deployed to “identify, track and drive away” the Philippine aircraft. “The on-site operation was professional, standardized, legitimate and justified,” the command added, emphasizing that their forces remained “on high alert” to defend China’s national sovereignty.
The command also warned the Philippines to “stop its infringement, provocation, distortion, and hyping-up” of the incident.
Gen. Brawner responded by stating that the incident “posed a threat to Philippine Air Force aircraft and its crew,” interfered with lawful operations within Philippine airspace, and contravened international aviation laws. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has been informed and has filed several diplomatic protests against China’s aggressive actions in the region.
Brawner reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to continue patrols in the contested waters, asserting, “We reaffirm our commitment to exercise our rights in accordance with international law.”
The South China Sea is a strategically vital area with overlapping territorial claims from Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, and particularly tense disputes between China and the Philippines. The U.S. military has previously reported similar dangerous maneuvers by Chinese aircraft and has deployed forces to promote freedom of navigation. The U.S. has also reiterated its obligation to defend the Philippines if attacked, including in the South China Sea.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the risks faced by military and civilian aircraft operating in contested airspace.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
