International aircraft also face China harassment -PH Navy

International aircraft have also experienced harassment from China’s military in the West Philippine Sea, similar to incidents involving the Philippines, the Philippine Navy said Sunday.

“Yes, may report na ganyan. Medyo matagal na. Mga ilang taon na yan,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(Yes, we have been receiving such reports for years.)

Trinidad recalled a specific incident from the early 2000s, when a Chinese aircraft deliberately collided with a US surveillance plane, forcing it to land in the highlands.

“Mga early 2000s, eroplano (surveillance aircraft) ng US sadyang binangga ng eroplano ng China kaya ito napilitan mag-land sa highlands,” he said.

Despite the incident, he confirmed that the crew of the US Plane were unharmed.

Trinidad also noted that China’s People’s Liberation Army has challenged commercial aircraft, claiming they were entering Chinese territory.

“Nakaramdam ang international community na hindi na ito problema ng iisang bansa lamang [mga illegal at agresibong hakbang ng China], kaya kailangan ang collective approach ng mga bansang rumerespeto sa international law,” he said.

(The international community recognizes that China’s illegal and aggressive actions are no longer just one country’s problem. A collective approach was needed among nations that respect international law.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese Embassy but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

On Friday, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea as part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that the naval drills enhanced the capability of allied nations to address maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, also on Friday, China’s military conducted a patrol in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson for the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army accused the Philippines of frequently enlisting foreign nations for "joint patrols" and "disseminating illegal claims," allegedly destabilizing the region. — DVM, GMA Integrated News