The Philippine Coast Guard has issued a strong condemnation regarding the reckless maneuvers executed by a Chinese Navy helicopter that flew alarmingly close to a surveillance aircraft carrying journalists over the highly disputed Scarborough Shoal. According to reports, the incident unfolded on Tuesday when the helicopter came perilously close to the fisheries bureau aircraft, flying within three meters (approximately 10 feet) of it.
An AFP photographer onboard described the harrowing encounter, noting that the Chinese helicopter tailgated the plane before approaching dangerously near its left wing. This close proximity allowed the crew in the helicopter to film the occupants of the surveillance flight, which was conducting operations approximately 213 meters (698 feet) above the water to monitor Chinese vessels in the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard highlighted the gravity of the situation in a statement, noting that at around 8:39 AM, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) helicopter carried out “dangerous flight maneuvers” towards the BFAR aircraft. They stressed that such reckless actions posed significant risks to the safety of both the pilots and passengers during the Maritime Domain Awareness flight.
The Scarborough Shoal has become a recurring flashpoint in the ongoing territorial disputes between China and the Philippines, especially since China took control of the area in 2012. The site is strategically important and is located 240 kilometers (149 miles) west of Luzon, the Philippines’ main island, and nearly 900 kilometers (559 miles) from Hainan, which is the nearest major Chinese landmass.
This incident comes on the heels of another event less than a week prior when Australia criticized China’s “unsafe” military conduct, specifically pointing to a Chinese fighter jet releasing flares dangerously close to an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea. In response, a spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry alleged that the Australian aircraft had intruded into what they claim as their airspace around the Xisha Islands, also known as the Paracel Islands.
China asserts rights over nearly the entire South China Sea, a claim that has been declared without legal grounds by an international tribunal in 2016. The ongoing tensions in the region have led to various confrontations, including an incident in December when the Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons against a Philippine fisheries vessel and sideswiping it, a scenario captured on video by the Philippine crew.
The Philippines has significantly increased its defense partnerships, particularly with the United States, since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022. This pivot aims to bolster the nation’s stance against China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. Recently, the Philippines indicated its intention to acquire the US Typhon missile system to enhance its maritime security, with the aim to safeguard its naval assets against escalating risks.
As the situation evolves, both Manila and Washington appear to be steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the security of the region, even as China cautions against developments it perceives as potentially igniting an arms race.
