PH aircraft gets 28 radio challenges from Chinese vessel

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported the successful conduct of a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over Bajo de Masinloc on Friday.

According to a statement, the BFAR aircraft received 28 radio challenges from People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel hull number 553 while positioned 81.42 nautical miles northeast of Bajo de Masinloc at around 10 a.m.

PCG shared that the flight found two Chinese floating buoys inside and near Bajo de Masinloc, and an unidentified fighter jet 1.79 nautical miles west of Bajo de Masinloc.

It arrived at the Bajo de Masinloc at 10:30 a.m. and performed circling maneuvers at approximately 6,000 feet.

“The Philippine crew responded professionally to each challenge, asserting that the routine MDA flight was conducted in full accordance with international law,” said PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela in a statement.

“The PCG and BFAR will continue to conduct regular and lawful maritime patrols to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen and to assert the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News