The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has ramped up aerial surveillance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following what it described as a “dangerous” maneuver by a Chinese military helicopter near Bajo de Masinloc, deploying additional aircraft from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Increased Surveillance Over Disputed Waters
PCG spokesperson for WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, confirmed that a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight was conducted over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Thursday morning in response to aggressive actions by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
“The MDA flight was executed using two BFAR aircraft, departing from Puerto Princesa,” Tarriela stated.
During the patrol, authorities spotted a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel (bow number 5101) and over 50 Chinese maritime militia vessels near Pagasa Island, along with six more in Rozul Reef.
Firm Stand Against Foreign Presence
Tarriela emphasized that the BFAR aircraft actively challenged the presence of Chinese vessels, documenting their activities.
“Undeterred by provocations, BFAR and PCG remain resolute in maintaining our presence in the WPS and confronting the illegal activities of foreign vessels,” he added.
The Philippines has vowed to file a diplomatic protest over the latest incident, which saw a PLAN helicopter (tail number 68) flying dangerously close—just three meters away—from a BFAR aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc.
Beijing Denies Allegations
China, however, has dismissed the allegations, claiming the Philippine aircraft had “illegally intruded” into its airspace over Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal).
“The Philippine side spread false narratives by talking black into white,” said Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli of the PLA Southern Theater Command.
Despite China’s rejection of the 2016 Hague ruling, which invalidated its sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty over the WPS.
Ongoing Tensions in the South China Sea
The West Philippine Sea is a critical area of dispute, with multiple countries—including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei—contesting China’s expansive claims. The latest developments highlight the growing tensions in the region, with Manila reinforcing its presence to safeguard its territorial waters.