Kimberly Capuyan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the aggression by China’s air force against a Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) aircraft patrolling over Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. on August 11. 

Photo Courtesy of Presidential Communications Office.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the actions of the People’s Liberation Army - Air Force (PLAAF) on August 8, “were unjustified, illegal and reckless.”

“The President strongly condemns the air incident in Bajo de Masinloc earlier this week, and stands by our brave men and women of the AFP, especially the Philippine Air Force (PAF),” the PCO said in a media release.

“The actions of the People’s Liberation Army - Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft were unjustified, illegal and reckless, especially as the PAF aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace,” it added.

The Palace “strongly” urged China to show responsible actions both in the seas and skies after expressing concern over possible instability in the Philippines’ airspace.

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

They also assured willingness to cooperate for peace, but it will also require China to do the same.

“The Philippines will always remain committed to proper diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes. However, we strongly urge China to demonstrate that it is fully capable of responsible action, both in the seas and in the skies,” it added.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), two PLAAF multi-role fighter jets executed dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares near a PAF NC-212i patrol plane over Scarborough Shoal around 9 a.m. on August 8.

While no PAF personnel was harmed, the AFP emphasized that the Chinese aircraft interfered with lawful flight operations and violated international law on aviation safety.

“The incident posed a threat to the Philippine Air Force aircraft and its crew, interfered with lawful flight operations in airspace within Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and contravened international law and regulations governing the safety of aviation,” AFP’s statement read.

China’s Southern Theater Command said “the on-site operation was professional, abided by norms, legitimate, and legal.”

The AFP on Sunday said it will continue its patrol and surveillance operations in the Scarborough Shoal despite the recent air incident involving China's air force.

Beijing claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, dismissing claims from several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, and a 2016 international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.