PH to file diplomatic protest over China chopper's 'reckless' maneuver near BFAR plane

The Philippines is poised to file a diplomatic protest over the "reckless" maneuvers by a Chinese military helicopter near a light aircraft of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on a routine patrol over the Bajo de Masinloc on Tuesday.

The National Maritime Council said in a statement that the Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter flew and hovered as close as three meters above the BFAR's Cessna over the Bajo de Masinloc on Tuesday.

"This blatantly hazardous action endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers onboard. It demonstrated a lack of regard for internationally accepted norms on good airmanship and flight safety," the council said.

The council said the Philippines had undeniable sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc.

Also known as Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal, Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles from Zambales and is well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"China's illegal, coercive, and aggressive behavior will not deter the Philippines from continuing the conduct of its routine maritime operations in accordance with its sovereignty over the shoal," the council said.

The council said the Philippines would not waver in its duty to safeguard its maritime interests over the shoal, in accordance with Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. 

"The Philippine Government will also issue a formal diplomatic protest on this grave incident," the council said.

"The Philippines is committed to the rule of law and will always uphold international law. We urge China to respect international law, engage in responsible state behavior, pursue peaceful settlement of disputes, and refrain from actions that undermine regional peace and stability," it added.

In a statement, the PLA Southern Theater Command said the Philippines was spreading "false narratives" as regards the incident.

"On February 18, a Philippine C-208 reconnaissance aircraft illegally intruded into China's territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao without permission of the Chinese government. Moreover, the Philippine side spread false narratives by talking black into white," spokesperson Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli said.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 upheld the Philippines' EEZ under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and invalidated China's massive historical claims.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BFAR aircraft was conducting a maritime domain awareness flight around 7 a.m. on Tuesday when the incident occurred.

Coast Guard personnel and photojournalists were onboard when a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) helicopter, tail number 68, approached at 8:39 a.m., coming as close as three meters to the BFAR aircraft’s port side and above it.

"This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers," Tarriela said, adding that the PLA-Navy violated International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.

Despite China's actions, Tarriela said the PCG and BFAR remain committed to asserting Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. –NB, GMA Integrated News