The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is capable of deploying assets to assist other Philippine aircraft operating in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following recent dangerous maneuvers by a Chinese military helicopter in the region.
PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo emphasized this during a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Tuesday.
“Whenever we are called upon to deploy our air assets to support other aircraft operating — be it civilian aircraft or another military aircraft — the Air Force is capable,” Castillo told reporters, noting that possible deployment would “depend on higher headquarters’ guidance.”
Castillo also pointed out that such action would require operational considerations in terms of logistics and sustainment, as the WPS is distant from the typical operating areas of PAF assets.
She said the logistical challenges of reaching and sustaining aircraft in the WPS required careful planning and preparation.
“If there will be future policies, we definitely have to consider a lot of things to ensure the operational readiness and sustainment of our aircraft operations. Remember, that’s quite a huge distance from our usual area of operations,” Castillo said.
Nonetheless, Castillo said the PAF’s helicopters are equipped and trained to operate from the decks of ships.
“So if there’s an available ship where our aircraft can safely land, we have been training with the Philippine Navy for ship deck operations, so that operation is possible,” she added.
On 18 February, the Philippine Coast Guard decried China’s “most dangerous action” against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting maritime domain awareness (MDA) flights within the territorial airspace of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the WPS.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela lamented that the “reckless action” of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) helicopter could “pose a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers during the MDA flight.”
He also pointed out the PLA-Navy’s “clear violation and blatant disregard” for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) international aviation regulations.