Philippine President Denounces China’s Air Force Actions as Reckless During South China Sea Patrol

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denounced the actions taken by China’s air force against a Philippine aircraft patrolling a South China Sea shoal as “unjustified, illegal, and reckless,”Bloomberg reports.

The Philippines’ military reported that on August 8, two People’s Liberation Army planes dropped flares and executed hazardous maneuvers during a Philippine Air Force patrol over Scarborough Shoal. This incident occurred as both nations were attempting to mitigate maritime tensions.

In response, China’s state-run Global Times claimed the Philippine aircraft was warned off in a “professional manner and in accordance with the law” due to its “illegal” incursion.

The Philippines last month said it had reached an understanding with China on the resupply of its troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal that’s been at the center of tensions between the two nations.

“We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace,” a statement from Marcos’ communications read.

The Philippines is dedicated to resolving disputes through diplomatic means. However, China must “show that it is fully capable of responsible actions, both in the seas and in the skies,” the statement has added.