The Philippine military condemns China after an incident over Scarborough Shoal that endangered the lives of PAF personnel, accusing the Chinese Air Force of acting aggressively and recklessly. Philippine Military condemns China of endangering the lives of Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel during a routine patrol over the disputed Scarborough Shoal, otherwise known as Bajo de Masinloc. The incident on August 8, 2024, highlights the heightened tensions in the South China Sea.
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the Chief of Staff of the AFP, expressed grave concerns about the incident, describing it as a “dangerous and provocative act” by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Brawner claimed that two Chinese military aircraft flew dangerously close to a PAF NC-212i plane and fired flares in its path whilst on a routine maritime patrol. Fortunately, the PAF aircraft returned to Clark Air Base safely, despite the Chinese actions that could have had deadly consequences.
It’s especially troubling as this incident comes just weeks after both the Philippines and China had already agreed to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, which includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Despite these commitments, the AFP noted that Chinese vessels continue to encroach on areas within Philippine jurisdiction, further complicating relations between the two countries.
The AFP has reported the incident to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for handling diplomatic matters. In its statement, the AFP reaffirmed its commitment to upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Chicago Convention, which governs international civil aviation.
Not surprisingly if not disappointingly, China has strongly defended its actions. The Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army argued that it had acted lawfully in driving away the Philippine aircraft after issuing repeated warnings. China’s statement described their actions as “professional and legal” and reiterated Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, which it refers to as Huangyan Island.
Scarborough Shoal, located 240 kilometers west of Luzon and roughly 900 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island, remains a flashpoint of contention and is hotly disputed within the broader South China Sea conflict. An international tribunal ruled against China’s expansive territorial claims in the region, yet Beijing rejects the ruling and continues to assert its control, ignoring the rival claims of other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
This latest flareup accentuates the fragile situation in the South China Sea, where narrow national interests often clash and the potential for conflict remains at an unprecedented high level.
