MANILA – The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China Air Force’s “dangerous and provocative actions” while in the airspace above Scarborough Shoal or known to locals as Bajo de Masinloc.
This was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly condemned the “dangerous and provocative actions” of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), when it used “flares” to block a Philippine Air Force (PAF) NC-212i aircraft “conducting a routine maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc” last August 8, 2024.
The filing of the diplomatic protest was confirmed by DFA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Daza, but did not give further details.
In a statement from the AFP, it stated that a “Philippine Air Force NC-212i aircraft was conducting a routine maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc when two aircraft[s] from the PLAAF executed a dangerous maneuver at around 9:00AM and dropped flares in the path of our NC-212i.”
“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,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said.
Brawner also mentioned that the pilots and crew of the NC-212i safely returned to Clark Air Base and all personnel on board were unharmed.
The AFP stated that it has reported the incident to the DFA and relevant government agencies, and reaffirmed its commitment “to exercise our rights in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the Chicago Convention.”
On the question about the possible repercussions of the incident on the provisional understanding reached by Manila and Beijing recently on how to manage rotation and resupply (RORE) missions, the DFA reiterated that the Philippines “adopts a de-escalatory approach to tensions in the WPS (West Philippine Sea)”.
“Please note the provisional understanding applies only to RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal. But the Philippines adopts a de-escalatory approach to tensions in the WPS. It remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes,” Asec. Daza said
