The Philippines said Wednesday that the fisheries agency plane was shadowed and approached by a Chinese navy helicopter while on patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in a new confrontation between two countries locked in a bitter feud over territory were.
The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) said the incident occurred on Monday and the plane was still able to complete its mission. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was the latest in a series of air and sea encounters between the two countries that have fought over disputed areas of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, one of the most disputed areas in Asia, which has long been occupied by the Chinese coast guard is occupied. than a decade.
China’s actions violate aviation safety rules, the NSC said in a statement.
Based on its interpretation of ancient maps, China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, coveted for its abundant fish stocks and a beautiful turquoise lagoon.
The shoal, named after a British ship that ran aground there centuries ago, is located 200 km off the Philippines, within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration found that China’s sweeping claims were not supported by international law, a decision Beijing refuses to recognize.
The tribunal did not establish sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, which the tribunal found was a traditional fishing ground for several countries.
CHINESE ‘INTERFERENCE’
In addition, the Philippine Defense Secretary on Wednesday told China to withdraw ships from its EEZ and accused Beijing of seeking to interfere in its defense activities, including the use of a US medium-range missile launcher for training.
Reuters reported last week that the United States has no immediate plans to withdraw the missile system, which could be equipped with cruise missiles that could strike Chinese targets.
“China says they are alarmed, but that is interference in our internal affairs,” Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro told reporters.
“Why don’t they set a good example? Destroy their nuclear arsenal. Remove all their ballistic missile capabilities. Get out of the West Philippine Sea and get out of Mischief Reef,” he added, referring to the Philippine EEZ and a man-made, militarized island built there by China.
China has expressed concern about the deployment of the Typhon system in the Philippines and accused Washington of fueling an arms race.
Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner said Wednesday that if he had his way, “I would want the Typhons here in the Philippines forever.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the WhatsApp message.
This development creates a need for government agencies, such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “accelerate interoperability” to counter China’s actions.
“The AFP and government agencies involved in the maritime and air security of the WPS (West Philippine Sea) must accelerate interoperability,” Chester B. Cabalza, founder and president of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, told reporters. Business world in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“By doing this we can counter China’s continued aggression and hostility, disrupting not only freedom of navigation but also freedom of overflight.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez of Reuters