MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Saturday, August 24, called on China to “immediately cease” its “provocative and dangerous” actions, citing two incidents this week where China “unjustifiably” shot flares at a Philippine aircraft that was on routine patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported in a statement on Saturday that the incidents that happened on August 19 and 22.
“We firmly reiterate our call on the government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft engaged in legitimate and regular activities within Philippine territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the right of all vessels and aircraft exercising freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” the NTF-WPS said.
On Monday, August 19, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was conducting a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight near Bajo de Masinloc, it was harassed by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the NTF-WPS said.
The NTF-WPS said the Chinese fighter jet engaged in “irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers,” deploying flares multiple times at a close distance of just around 15 meters from the BFAR aircraft.
“The Chinese fighter jet was in no way provoked, yet its actions demonstrated hazardous intent that jeopardized the safety of the personnel onboard the BFAR aircraft,” the NTF-WPS said.
It was also on August 19 when the Philippines reported “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” of the China Coast Guard (CCG), as it caused “structural damage” to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño in waters close to Escoda, or Sabina Shoal, inside the West Philippine Sea.
Three days later, on August 22, the same BFAR aircraft conducted a similar MDA flight, monitoring and intercepting poachers encroaching upon the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the territorial seas in the Kalayaan Island Group.
During the BFAR’s routine patrol accompanied by the PCG, China launched flares from Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), “a militarized illegally-reclaimed artificial island by China, within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island,” said the task force.
The task force said that such actions undermined regional peace and security, and further eroded China’s image with the international community.
“The Philippines remains steadfast in exercising its rights to strengthen maritime domain awareness within our sovereign territory, national airspace, and EEZ, as well as in the high seas, in accordance with [the] United Nations Convention on the Law of the SEA and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the task force added.
The August incidents are the latest related to increasing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Following the Monday collision, the Philippines had said that the CCG was not helping efforts to build confidence in the South China Sea.
Its allies have rallied behind the Philippines amid China’s harassment, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, which have recently held joint air and sea military exercises with the Philippines.
The US also reaffirmed its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines on Tuesday, following the Monday collision. – Rappler.com