The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that more aircraft from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were deployed to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the “dangerous” move of a Chinese military chopper against a BFAR plane over Scarborough shoal.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight was conducted over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) yesterday morning.
“In response to recent aggressive maneuvers by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the BFAR and the PCG conducted a maritime domain awareness flight over the KIG in the WPS this morning,” he said.
“The MDA flight was executed using two BFAR aircraft, departing from Puerto Princesa,” Tarriela added.
During the operation, the BFAR plan observed a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5101 and over fifty Chinese maritime militia vessels off Pagasa Island, as well as six Chinese maritime militia vessels in Rozul Reef.
The BFAR aircraft consistently challenged the illegal presence of the Chinese vessels and documented their unlawful activities, according to Tarriela.
“Undeterred by provocations from the People’s Republic of China, BFAR and PCG remain resolute in maintaining our presence in the WPS and confronting the illegal activities of foreign vessels,” he said.
Asked about the presence of the Chinese vessels, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said “the activities of the Chinese people in the South China Sea date back to over 2,000 years ago.”
“China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands) and relevant waters, and the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, thus establishing territorial sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea,” it added.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom envoy to the Philippines has expressed concern about the dangerous Chinese chopper incident .
In a statement, Amb. Laure Beaufils, the current British Ambassador to the Philippines, said “These acts increase the risk of miscalculation which endangers lives.”
The United Kingdom (UK) has been actively vocal in supporting the Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea against Chinese aggression.
Only recently, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, expressed its willingness to develop its maritime relationship with the United Kingdom.
“We call for the adherence of international law, including [the] UNCLOS,” The British Ambassador to the Philippines added.
The UK-Philippines bilateral relationship will reach its 80th year in 2026. With Gabriella Parino