MANILA – The United States Department of State on Thursday denounced China’s recent aerial maneuvers against a Philippine aircraft, calling them “reckless” and a “threat” to safe navigation and overflight in the West Philippine Sea.
According to reports, a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter, identified by tail number 68, engaged in aggressive flight maneuvers toward a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting a routine maritime domain awareness mission over Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday.
The incident comes shortly after a separate case where a Chinese fighter jet launched flares near an Australian military aircraft conducting a patrol in the region.
US REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR MANILA
In response, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated Washington’s commitment to its regional allies, emphasizing that the United States stands with the Philippines in condemning China’s actions.
“Reckless Chinese actions such as these pose a threat to navigation and overflight in the West Philippine Sea. We will continue to support our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Bruce stated.
She further urged Beijing to refrain from coercive tactics and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.
Bruce also reaffirmed that the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) applies to armed attacks on Philippine forces, public vessels, or aircraft—including those operated by the Philippine Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea.
EU EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER INCIDENT
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro voiced deep concern over the latest confrontation.
He criticized China’s actions as violations of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, warning that such reckless maneuvers endanger lives.
The EU, he added, stands with the Philippines in upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the West Philippine Sea dispute.