A Chinese Navy helicopter engaged in dangerous flight maneuvers and closely tailed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting a maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc on February 19.
The helicopter, identified as belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) with tail number 68, approached the BFAR aircraft while it was carrying Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel and photojournalists.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela condemned the incident, stating that it put the safety of pilots and passengers at serious risk due to the reckless actions of the Chinese helicopter.
“This reckless action by the Chinese Navy helicopter endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers,” Tarriela said. (“Nalagay sa seryosong panganib ang kaligtasan ng mga piloto at mga pasahero bunsod ng reckless action ng Chinese helicopter.”)
The Chinese aircraft reportedly flew as close as three meters from the port side and above the BFAR aircraft, raising significant concerns over the PLA-Navy’s blatant disregard for international aviation regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Despite the growing aggressiveness of Chinese forces, the PCG and BFAR reaffirmed their commitment to asserting the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.