The Philippines and China blamed each other on Saturday (10/8) after their planes crossed paths in disputed territory in the South China Sea.
The Philippine military strongly condemned the “dangerous and provocative actions” by the Chinese Air Force, while the People's Liberation Army (PLA) defended itself by saying it acted professionally and in accordance with the law.
This is the first time the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, rather than navy or coast guard vessels, since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022.
Two Chinese Air Force aircraft conducted dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force aircraft on routine patrol around Scarborough Shoal on Thursday morning, the military said in a statement.
“This endangered the lives of our personnel who were conducting recent maritime security operations in the Philippine maritime zone,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, adding that the Chinese aircraft were interfering with legitimate flight operations and violating international law on aviation safety.
China's PLA Southern Theater Command said Saturday that Philippine aircraft, “despite repeated warnings from China, still illegally entered the airspace of Huangyan Island,” disrupting training activities.
The Chinese Navy and Air Force carry out identification, tracking, warning and expulsion in accordance with the law, he added.
“The operation at the site was professional, in line with norms, lawful and legal,” the PLA said, urging the Philippines to stop what it called violations and provocations.
Filipino fishermen frequently visit Scarborough Shoal, one of two flashpoints in a long-running maritime rivalry with China. Beijing on Wednesday set up combat patrols near the shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc by Manila and controlled by China since 2012, called Huangyan Island.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion in annual trade passes, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
China has rejected a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing's expansive claims had no basis in international law.
In May, the Philippines accused Chinese fishermen of damaging the environment in Scarborough by fishing with cyanide, taking giant clams and protected animals, and destroying coral reefs. China denied the allegations. (ah)
