Senators denounce Chinese harassment of PH plane
SENATORS strongly condemned the recent incident involving a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter that flew dangerously close to a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft patrolling over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Describing it as dangerous and reckless, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada described the incident as a “clear violation of international aviation safety protocols” and called for the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest.
The incident on February 18 involved a Chinese military helicopter flying within three meters of a BFAR Cessna aircraft. The Philippine pilot reportedly warned the Chinese helicopter about the proximity, citing safety standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros also addressed the issue saying that it is totally foul.
“Hindi na nakuntento ang Tsina sa pambubully sa karagatan, pati sa himpapawid nambabanta na rin. Philippine patrol planes have the right of overflight in our Exclusive Economic Zone. This is in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Tayo ang may karapatan, hindi ang Tsina.” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations also clearly stipulate that no State aircraft is allowed to fly over a territory of another State without prior authorization.
“Atin ang Scarborough Shoal, kaya tayo ang nasa tama.” she maintained
Hontiveros also stated that just as China violates the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in our waters, China also violated ICAO safety standards in our skies.
The lady senator expressed belief that China is actually provoking trouble by routinely disrespecting international law.
“She is a signatory to UNCLOS and a contracting member of the ICAO, and yet she shamelessly ignores these international norms. Tahasang nanggugulo talaga ang Tsina.”
She urged international cooperation: “I call on our partners in the international community, especially our neighbors in the Indo-Pacific, to join the Philippines in pushing back. Our region cannot achieve genuine peace if China continues her aggression.”
The Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maritime patrols and upholding the country’s jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
The National Maritime Council has announced its intention to file a diplomatic protest regarding the incident, stating that the maneuver posed a risk to flight safety.
China has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the Philippine aircraft entered what it considers its airspace and dismissed the reports as misleading.
