PH condemns China provocation of PAF aircraft in Bajo de Masinloc

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A group of fisherfolk releases an 18-foot symbolic buoy bearing the Philippine flag and a large “Atin ang Pinas” (The Philippines is Ours) sign off the waters of Barangay San Salvador, Masinloc, Zambales on Monday (Nov. 6, 2023). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Philippines has denounced China’s “unjustified, illegal and reckless” actions in an air incident in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on Aug. 8.

In a media release on Sunday, Malacañang said President Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. “strongly condemns” the air incident and stands by the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The AFP reported on Saturday the “dangerous and provocative actions” of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) which harassed a PAF aircraft conducting maritime patrols over Bajo de Masinloc, located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The actions of the People’s Liberation Army – Air Force aircraft were unjustified, illegal and reckless, especially as the PAF aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace,” the Presidential Palace said in a statement posted on social media.

“We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace,” it added.

The Philippines and China recently reached an agreement to allow the seamless resupply of Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal.

Malacañang said the Philippines remains committed to “proper diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes” but urged China to “demonstrate that it is fully capable of responsible action, both in the seas and in the skies.

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China claims the entirety of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea where Manila enjoys sovereignty, refusing to recognize a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and affirmed the Philippines’ EEZ.

The Philippines has been drumming up support from its allies in the international community, including longtime military ally the United States, while also beefing up the capabilities of its armed forces.