China hinarass PAF aircraft sa Bajo de Masinloc — AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Nasangkot na naman sa panibagong harassment ang China matapos itong magsagawa ng mapanganib na pagmamaniobra sa himpapawid at magpakawala ng mga ‘flares’ o pampasilaw na liwanag sa direksiyon ng aircraft ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) sa bahagi ng Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines strongly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) that endangered the lives of our personnel undertaking maritime security operations recently within Philippine maritime zones,” pahayag ni AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Sinabi ni Brawner na ang insidente ay nangyari noong Agosto 8 habang nagsasagawa ang PAF NC-2121 aircraft ng routine maritime patrol sa himpapawid ng Bajo de Masinloc.
Ang nasabing mga flares ay maaring magpabagsak sa turbo plane ng PAF na mabuti na lamang at masuwerteng hindi nangyari.
Bandang alas-9 ng umaga, nang magpakawala ng mga flares o pampasilaw sa direksiyon ng PAF aircraft ang nasabing mga Chinese pilots.
“The incident posed a threat to Philippine Air Force aircraft and its crew, interfered with lawful flight operations in airspace within Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and contravened international law and regulations governing safety of aviation,” ayon kay Brawner.
Sa kabila nito, ligtas na nakabalik sa Clark Air Base ang mga piloto at crew ng NC-2121 aircraft dakong alas-10 ng umaga.
“The AFP has reported the incident to the Department of Foreign Affairs and relevant government agencies. We reaffirm our commitment to exercise our rights in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea ) and the Chicago Convention,” sabi pa ng heneral.
Ang Scarborough Shoal ay kabilang sa pilit inaangkin ng China matapos ang standoff sa pagitan ng Philippine Navy at Chinese Navy noong Abril 2012.
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