PCG hits China Navy chopper’s ‘dangerous maneuvers’ over Scarborough

MANILA, Philippines —  A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter “performed dangerous flight maneuvers” against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft over the territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on Tuesday morning, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela reported that the BFAR, accompanied by Coast Guard personnel and photojournalists, conducted a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight in the area when the incident occurred.

Dangerous Encounter with PLA-Navy Helicopter During BFAR Maritime Domain Awareness Flight

At approximately 0700 hours today, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness Flight over the territorial airspace of Bajo De Masinloc,… pic.twitter.com/WWRUqiZVrw

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) February 18, 2025

“Around 0839 hours, a PLA-Navy helicopter, identified by tail number 68, performed dangerous flight maneuvers towards the BFAR aircraft. This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers during the MDA flight,” the PCG official’s posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Tarriela said the PLA-Navy helicopter disregarded the International Civil Aviation Organization’s international aviation regulations when it moved “three meters to the port side and above the BFAR aircraft.”

“The PCG and BFAR remain committed to asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, despite the aggressive and escalatory actions of China,” he assured the public.

The PCG is likewise monitoring the movements of Chinese Coast Guard vessels unlawfully operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone and near Zambales since January.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.