Gov’t reiterates: Stop the attacks against PH force in the WPS

‘COUNTERMEASURES’ A screengrab from a video taken on Aug. 19 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows flares that had been fired by a Chinese jet fighter disrupting the view from an aircraft of the BFAR patrolling the maritime area near China-controlled Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. —PCG photo
MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Saturday condemned the latest attack of China on the Philippine force in the West Philippine Sea, reiterating that the aggressions should be immediately stopped.
NTP-WPS said that China fired flares against a Philippine aircraft on Thursday from Zamora Reef and targeted the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’ Cessna 208B Grand Caravan plane.
READ: China fires flares anew at PH plane in Zamora Reef, Scarborough Shoal
“We firmly reiterate our call on the government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft engaged in legitimate and regular activities within Philippine territory and Exclusive Economic Zone and the right of all vessels and aircraft exercising freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” said NTF-WPS in a statement.
READ: China’s aggression draw ‘grave concern’ from US, PH security advisers
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to the task force, the same BFAR aircraft also faced harassment from China on Monday near Bajo de Masinloc after fighter jets fired flares at a “dangerously close distance” from the BFAR aircraft.
Article continues after this advertisement“Such actions undermine regional peace and security, and further erode the image of the PRC [People’s Republic of China] with the international community,” NTF-WPS added.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Saturday expressed concern on China’s firing of flares, citing that it is “irresponsible” and “dangerously provocative.”
“It’s irresponsible, a blatant violation of international law, and a direct threat to the safety of our personnel. It could have led to serious harm or even loss of lives,” he said.
He also urged the government of China to adhere to the international laws and be accountable for causing “reckless actions” within the Philippine seas.
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