Chinese helicopter 'maneuvered dangerously' against BFAR aircraft — PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard decried China’s latest harassment against Filipino aircraft conducting maritime domain awareness (MDA) flights within the territorial airspace of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday. 

PCG spokesperson for WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) helicopter, with tail number 68, performed “dangerous flight maneuvers” against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’s aircraft flying in the Philippine waters. 

“This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers during the MDA flight,” Tarriela stressed. 

He added the PLA-Navy helicopter came as close as three (3) meters to the port side and above the BFAR aircraft. 

The aircraft was aboard by BFAR staff along with PCG personnel and Filipino photojournalists. 

Tarriela lamented the PLA-Navy's “clear violation and blatant disregard” for the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) international aviation regulations.

“The PCG and BFAR remain committed to asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, despite the aggressive and escalatory actions of China,” Tarriela told reporters.