Philippines demands China halt 'dangerous actions' in South China Sea
The Philippines has demanded that China 'cease all provocative and dangerous actions' after accusing it of recently firing at aircraft conducting patrols over the South China Sea.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Philippines' South China Sea Task Force, a surveillance flight near Scarborough Shoal on August 19 faced 'harassment' from a Chinese fighter jet. The incident involved the aircraft, which was on a monitoring mission, being fired upon and closely shadowed by the Chinese jet.
Tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent months, leading to concerns about a potential conflict that could involve the United States, a key military ally of the Philippines.
The interagency task force emphasized that such behavior threatens regional stability and damages China's reputation in the global community.
The aircraft involved in the incident belongs to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and works in coordination with the coastguard to monitor and intercept illegal activities within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
The task force reported that the Chinese jet, without provocation, repeatedly deployed flares at a dangerously close range to the BFAR aircraft, posing a serious threat to the safety of the personnel on board.
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