Manila says it will file a diplomatic protest after a Chinese helicopter intentionally flew within 3 meters (10 feet) of a Philippine aircraft.
The US ambassador for Manila has condemned the “dangerous” maneuvering by Chinese Navy helicopters that threaten the safety of the Philippine government’s aircraft patrol the shallow waters contested in the South China Sea.
In a social media post Wednesday, US ambassador Marie Kay Carlson denounced the actions of China’s helicopters, calling on Beijing to “abstain from forced action and resolve conflicts peacefully in accordance with international law.” .
The Philippines said late Tuesday that it would be diplomatic protesting, saying it was “deeply disturbed” by the Chinese Navy’s “specially and reckless” flight actions.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese helicopter flew within 3 meters (10 feet) of a surveillance flight carrying a group of journalists.
The plane flew about 213 meters (700 feet) above the water on a mission to observe the Chinese ship around the contested Scarborough shawl when intercepted by a naval helicopter.
The plane invited by journalists and other foreign media outlets when Philippine aircraft were pushed against them by low-altitude patrols around Scarborough, and Chinese Navy helicopters closed or flew left in cloudy weather. I witnessed a nervous 30-minute standoff.
The dangerous move prompted Philippine pilots to warn Chinese pilots on radio. “You’re getting too close. You’re extremely dangerous and putting the lives of your crew and passengers at risk.”
“Take away, keep the aircraft away from us. You are violating safety standards,” said the Philippine pilot.
Watch: The Chinese Navy helicopter approached the Philippine Fisheries Department plane nearly three metres across the shallow waters of the Panatagg (Scarborough), carrying out dangerous maneuvers, shadowing the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department for about 40 minutes. Inquirer was on BFAR…pic.twitter.com/vcvfs8mptn
– Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 18, 2025
Philippine Media Outlet Inquirer.net said during the flight, the pilots of the aircraft operated by the Philippine Fisheries Bureau and aquatic resources issued at least 19 radio assignments to Chinese helicopters and Chinese vessels in conflict zones.
The Media Outlet described the dangerous game of “Hide and Seek in the Sky” in which a helicopter suddenly appears and pilots it to approach 3 meters (9.8 feet) above the plane.
China challenged the Philippine account, saying that Manila aircraft “illegally invaded” China’s airspace on Tuesday, accusing the Philippines of “spreading false stories.”
The Philippine Coast Guard and Fisheries Bureau said in a statement that “despite China’s aggressive and escalating actions, they are committed to asserting our sovereignty, sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction in the Western Philippine Sea.” “It’s.”
Named after a British ship grounded on an atoll almost three centuries ago, the Scarborough shawl is one of the most contested maritime features in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila collide repeatedly.
China asserts sovereignty throughout the South China Sea. This is an important waterway that opposes Beijing with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and has maritime claims in the region.
The 2016 arbitration award negated China’s vast claims, but Beijing is not aware of the decision.