Philippines to File Diplomatic Protest With China Over Air Force Display

An aerial view of over Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Feb. 15, 2014. (Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Aug. 12 that the country will file a diplomatic protest with China over a recent incident involving the Chinese military and the Philippine air force.

Two Chinese aircraft on Aug. 8 dropped flares in the path of a Philippine patrol plane, according to Philippine officials who denounced the move as “unjustified, illegal,” and “very dangerous.”

Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters on Aug. 12 that the action was part of a “continuous pattern” of behavior demonstrated by Beijing in the South China Sea. Still, the defense secretary is calling on China to abide by international laws.

The Philippines’ National Security Council also called on China to “cease all forms of provocative and hazardous acts.” China’s embassy in Manila didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dispute Over Scarborough Shoal

The incident occurred over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a 58-square-mile atoll that has been the subject of a years-long dispute between the Philippines and China.

Philippine fishermen frequent the atoll, a chain of reefs about 220 miles from Manila. However, China views the territory as its own and regularly makes its military presence known in the area.

In 2012, the Philippines sought legal arbitration, and in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in the Philippines’ favor. China rejected the ruling, and continues to claim ownership over the territory.

China claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea as its own, antagonizing neighboring countries including Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, which rely on the region for fishing and trade. About $3 trillion worth of annual trade passes through the South China Sea, and the waterway is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits.

The conflict has previously come to blows, with Chinese vessels ramming Philippine boats and even involving the use of handheld weapons between crews. On July 24, the countries came to a provisional agreement to ease tensions and “avoid skirmishes.”

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a statement condemning the Chinese military’s Aug. 8 provocation.

“The actions of the People’s Liberation Army—Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft were unjustified, illegal and reckless, especially as the PAF aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace,” he stated.

The Chinese military responded to the accusation in a statement on WeChat, asserting “indisputable” ownership over the territory and stating its actions were “professional, standard, justified, and lawful,” while accusing the Philippine patrol plane of “intruding” on Chinese military exercises.

Teodoro urged China on Aug. 12 to “abide by international law” and “deescalate” while acknowledging China’s unwillingness to do so over the years.

“They will stick to their narrative that we know there is no international support whatsoever,” he said. “All they have on their side is brute force and strength and might.”

Reuters contributed to this report.