PH to file diplomatic protest vs China Navy’s dangerous WPS maneuvers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government will file a formal diplomatic protest against China over its navy chopper’s dangerous maneuvers over the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. 

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns said the Philippines is  is deeply disturbed by the “unprofessional and reckless flight maneuvers” of a PLA-Navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter with tail number 68. 

“[It] flew and hovered as close as three meters above a BFAR Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft conducting a routine maritime domain awareness flight over Bajo de Masinloc on February 18,” it said. 

According to the agency, this “blatantly hazardous action” endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers on board. 

“It demonstrated a lack of regard for internationally-accepted norms on good airmanship and flight safety,” said the agency. 

“The Philippine government will also issue a formal diplomatic protest on this grave incident. The Philippines is committed to the rule of law and will always uphold international law,” it added, urging 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.

The Philippine government said China’s “illegal, coercive and aggressive behavior” will not deter Manila from continuing the conduct of its routine maritime operations in accordance with its sovereignty over the shoal. 

“[The Philippines] will 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,” it emphasized.

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. 

It, however,  has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.