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PH patrols to continue in BdM despite Chinese Navy's dangerous acts

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
February 19, 2025, 12:44 pm Updated on February 19, 2025, 3:28 pm

MANILA - Despite China's continued illegal, coercive and aggressive behavior, the Philippines will not give up its "routine maritime operations" in Bajo de Masinloc, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said Tuesday night.

This was after a People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Harbin Z-9 helicopter made unprofessional and reckless flight maneuvers against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft conducting a routine maritime domain awareness flight over Bajo de Masinloc on Feb. 18.

"This blatantly hazardous action endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers onboard. It demonstrated a lack of regard for internationally-accepted norms on good airmanship and flight safety," the NMC said in a media release.

Despite these illegal and aggressive actions, the NMC said the Philippines has undeniable sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc and will not be deterred from conducting routine maritime operations over the shoal.

"The Philippines will not waver in its duty to safeguard its maritime interests over the shoal, in accordance with Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. The Philippine Government will also issue a formal diplomatic protest on this grave incident," the body added.

It also said the Philippines is committed to the rule of law and will always uphold international law.

"We urge 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," the NMC said.

Hontiveros condemns act

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday denounced what she called "dangerous maneuvers" by the Chinese Navy helicopter, accusing Beijing of escalating its aggression in Philippine territory.

"China is no longer content with bullying at sea; now it threatens us in the air as well," Hontiveros said in a statement.

The senator stressed that Philippine patrol planes have the right to fly over the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in full accordance with the UNCLOS.

"We have the right—not China," she said.

Hontiveros also cited International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which prohibit state aircraft from flying over another state's territory without prior authorization.

"Atin ang Scarborough Shoal, kaya tayo ang nasa tama (Scarborough Shoal is ours, which means we are just doing the right thing)," she said.

Bajo de Masinloc ís also called Scarborough Shoal.

The senator accused Beijing of consistently violating international regulations, both at sea and in the air, and urged the international community, particularly Indo-Pacific nations, to stand with the Philippines in pushing back against China's actions.

"Just as China disregards collision prevention rules in our waters, it now blatantly violates ICAO safety standards in our skies," she said.

Hontiveros said China continues to defy international norms despite being a signatory to the UNCLOS and a contracting member of the ICAO. (with a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)