China warship challenges PH patrol aircraft 28 times over Panatag

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese naval vessel issued 28 radio challenges to a Philippine patrol aircraft during a routine government surveillance flight over Panatag Shoal on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement the maritime domain awareness flight, conducted jointly by the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday, was using a BFAR aircraft when it was repeatedly challenged at around 10 a.m. by a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel identified as hull number 553.

The aircraft was flying about 150 kilometers northeast of the shoal — or about 83 km southwest of Agno, Pangasinan — when the challenges were received. 

READ: West Philippine Sea: Giving China the warfare it deserves

The Philippine crew responded to each transmission, asserting the patrol was lawful and conducted in accordance with international law, the PCG said.

The shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, lies about 229 km west of Zambales, within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone. It has been a recurring flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.

The aircraft arrived over Bajo de Masinloc at about 10:30 a.m. and carried out circling maneuvers at roughly 6,000 feet. 

Tarriela said during the patrol, the crew spotted an unidentified fighter jet about 3 km west of the shoal, as well as two Chinese floating buoys — one inside the lagoon and another about 3.7 km northwest of the feature.

The Coast Guard said it will continue regular and lawful maritime patrols with BFAR to safeguard Filipino fishermen and assert the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. /mr