Philippine Military Condemns Chinese Jets' Dangerous Maneuver

The Philippine military chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner, condemned the actions of two Chinese air force jets that allegedly executed dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares near a Philippine air force plane conducting routine patrols over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, posed a significant risk to the safety of the Philippine crew, who returned unharmed to Clark Air Base. Brawner emphasized that the actions of the Chinese aircraft interfered with lawful operations and violated international aviation regulations. In response to the incident, a top Philippine security official reported that the Chinese jets flew dangerously close to the Philippine aircraft, with at least eight flares being deployed. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army claimed that the Philippine plane had "illegally" entered airspace above Huangyan Island, asserting that their actions were a legitimate response to protect national sovereignty. The command warned the Philippines to cease what it termed as provocations. Brawner stated that the incident has been reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has previously lodged multiple diplomatic protests against China's aggressive actions in the region. He reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to continue patrols in the contested waters, asserting their rights under international law. The South China Sea remains a hotspot for territorial disputes involving multiple nations, including Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The U.S. military has also reported similar dangerous maneuvers by Chinese aircraft, emphasizing its commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an armed attack in the region.