Manila files diplomatic protest after Chinese jets fire flares near patrol plane

Aug 13

Ryan Robertson Anchor

By Ryan Robertson (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

The Philippine Navy condemned recent actions by Chinese fighter jets over the disputed Scarborough Shoal as “coercive, aggressive and deceptive.” During an incident on Aug. 8, Chinese aircraft reportedly dropped flares dangerously close to a Philippine Air Force patrol plane, escalating tensions over the strategic South China Sea territory, which both nations claim.

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WATCH: Chinese aircraft drops flares into the path of a PH Air Force plane conducting a routine maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea last Aug. 8. Video shared to the Inquirer by a source. pic.twitter.com/1bHUJlbznY
— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) August 11, 2024

Philippine Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad described the maneuver as inappropriate and risky under international law, raising the potential for serious incidents. The Scarborough Shoal, crucial for fishing and shelter during storms, lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been under Chinese control for over a decade.

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Responding to the flare incident, the Philippine government lodged a diplomatic protest, emphasizing the reckless nature of the action that could have resulted in a tragic outcome. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine military chief, highlighted the significant risk posed to their aircraft if the flares had made contact.

China’s Southern Theater Command retorted that the Philippine aircraft had unlawfully entered airspace over Huangyan Island — known in the Philippines as Scarborough Shoal — disrupting Chinese military drills. The command defended its response as professional and lawful, aimed at safeguarding China’s national security.

Despite this, Philippine officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have called for an end to China’s provocative actions, stressing the need to maintain regional peace and safeguard both military and civilian personnel.

Tags: Air Force, Beijing, China, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, South China Sea

[ryan robertson]

THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT LODGED A DIPLOMATIC PROTEST AGAINST BEIJING FOLLOWING A HARROWING INCIDENT LAST WEEK WHERE CHINESE FIGHTER JETS FIRED EIGHT FLARES DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO A PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE PATROL PLANE OVER THE DISPUTED SCARBOROUGH SHOAL.

THIS PROVOCATIVE MANEUVER — DESCRIBED BY MANILA OFFICIALS AS RECKLESS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC — SIGNIFICANTLY RAISED TENSIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR. IS CALLING FOR CHINA TO CEASE ALL PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITIES THAT JEOPARDIZE REGIONAL PEACE AND THE SAFETY OF FILIPINO PERSONNEL.

IN A STATEMENT THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY SAYS A PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE PLANE ILLEGALLY FLEW OVER HUANGYAN ISLAND—THE DISPUTED REGION ALSO CALLED THE SCARBOROUGH SHOAL IN THE PHILIPPINES, CHINA SAYS THE PHILIPPINE PLANE —INTERRUPTED THE PLA’S MILITARY EXERCISES. AS A RESULT, CHINA DISPATCHED JETS AND SHIPS TO TRACK AND GUIDE THE PHILIPPINE AIRCRAFT OUT OF THE AIRSPACE.

THE CHINESE MILITARY DESCRIBED ITSACTIONS AS PROFESSIONAL, STANDARD, LAWFUL, AND NECESSARY TO PROTECT CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY AND SECURITY. THE PLA REMAINS ON HIGH ALERT AND ISSUED A WARNING TO THE PHILIPPINES TO CEASE ACTIONS IT VIEWS AS PROVOCATIVE.

A PHILIPPINE GENERAL SAID THE INCIDENT WOULD NOT DETER THE PHILIPPINES FROM CONTINUING ITS PATROLS IN THE CONTESTED REGION.

THIS RECENT FLARE-UP IS PART OF A LONGSTANDING DISPUTE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, WHERE TERRITORIAL CLAIMS OVERLAP AMONG SEVERAL NATIONS. DESPITE THE TENSE ENCOUNTER, BOTH COUNTRIES REACHED A PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT LAST MONTH TO EASE TENSIONS…A AGREEMENT WHICH IS PROVING DIFFICULT FOR EACH SIDE TO UPHOLD

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RYAN ROBERTSON, IF YOU WANT MORE OF OUR UNBIASED — STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING — DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.