The Philippines will file a diplomatic protest with China over a recent incident involving Air Force planes in airspace over a South China Sea shoal, Manila’s Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Monday.
Continued Maritime Patrols
Kabul 24: The Southeast Asian nation will continue maritime patrols in South China Sea despite the “dangerous and provocative” actions of China’s Air Force last week, military chief Romeo Brawner told reporters.
Dangerous Actions by Chinese Aircraft
The Philippines’ military has complained of dangerous actions by two Chinese aircraft that dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting a routine patrol over the Scarborough Shoal on Aug.
Hopes for De-escalation
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said he hoped China would comply with international law and on the need to de-escalate tensions.
Condemnation from President Marcos
On Sunday, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said China’s actions were “unjustified, illegal and reckless”
Chinese Response Pending
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Saturday, Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army said the Philippine aircraft had illegally intruded despite repeated warnings.
The incident marks the first time since Marcos assumed the presidency in 2022 that the Philippines has raised concerns over dangerous maneuvers by Chinese aircraft, which had previously involved naval or coast guard ships.
