The National Maritime Council of the Philippines has denounced the actions of a Chinese Navy helicopter that flew dangerously close to a surveillance flight carrying journalists over the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The incident, characterized as 'unprofessional and reckless,' has raised concerns about escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
MANILA, Philippines — The National Maritime Council (NMC) strongly condemned the actions of a Chinese Navy helicopter which conducted maneuvers in close proximity to a surveillance flight carrying journalists over the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). In a statement released Tuesday night, the NMC characterized the incident as 'unprofessional and reckless,' emphasizing that the Chinese aircraft's actions 'blatantly endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers onboard.
' The NMC further stated that this behavior demonstrated 'a lack of regard for internationally-accepted norms on good airmanship and flight safety.' Reports indicate that the Chinese helicopter flew as close as three meters to a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX plane operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which had several media personnel on board. The BFAR aircraft was conducting a mission to observe Chinese vessels over the shoal, flying approximately 213 meters above the water. The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the South China Sea, has been a source of tension between the Philippines and China since China seized control of the shoal in 2012. The NMC asserted that the presence of the Chinese Navy helicopter in the area constitutes a violation of international law. It emphasized that 'The Philippines has undeniable sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc.' The NMC declared that China's 'illegal, coercive and aggressive behavior' will not deter the Philippines from continuing its routine maritime operations within its sovereign territory over the shoal. It reiterated the Philippines' commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests in accordance with Republic Act 12064 (the Philippine Maritime Zones Act) and international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. As a consequence of China's reckless actions, the Philippine government will formally lodge a diplomatic protest. The NMC concluded by stating that the Philippines is 'committed to the rule of law and will always uphold international law,' urging China to 'respect international law, engage in responsible state behavior, pursue peaceful settlement of disputes, and refrain from actions that undermine regional peace and stability.
CHINA PHILIPPINES SOUTH CHINA SEA SCARBOROUGH SHOAL INTERNATIONAL LAW DIPLOMATIC PROTEST
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