Summary Philippines to file a diplomatic protest after Chinese jets drop flares near its plane in disputed South China Sea. Scarborough Shoal incident is latest in series of Chinese intimidation tactics in ongoing territorial dispute with regional countries. Despite Chinese warnings, Philippines vows to continue patrols in area to safeguard sovereignty within international law guidelines.
The Philippines will file a diplomatic complaint after Chinese military jets dropped flares into the path of one of its planes on patrol over the South China Sea. This isn't the first time Chinese planes have committed such maneuvers against foreign countries. Chinese aircraft drop flares above Philippine plane Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has condemned the "illegal and reckless" incident in the South China Sea, which he determined as "Philippine sovereign airspace.
" The incident occurred above the Scarborough Shoal on the morning of August 8th - according to reports, two unspecified People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft dropped flares while above a Philippine Air Force (PAF) NC-212i maritime patrol plane that was operating a routine patrol in the area. While it appears the flares did not impact the plane - which returned to base safely - the PAF blasted the "dangerous and provocative actions," and the country's foreign secretary, Enrique Manalo, has promised to file a diplomatic protest against China. As per a statement by the PAF, "The incident posed a threat to Ph.