China fires flares at Philippine Coast Guard aircraft

MANILA, September 11 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard said the People’s Liberation Army fired multiple flares toward an unarmed PCG aircraft conducting a maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) earlier this week.

According to the PCG, the aircraft was challenged over radio by Chinese forces occupying Zamora (Subi) Reef before landing on Pag-asa Island on Monday, September 7. The same actions were carried out by Chinese forces occupying Panganiban (Mischief) Reef. In both instances, the PCG aircrew responded over radio that the presence of Chinese forces on the reclaimed features violates international law.

PH ‘CAN’T BACK DOWN’

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Philippines cannot back down despite China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Teodoro made the assertion days after he blasted China for a handwritten note given to him during the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea on September 8. The note said, “China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent and firm. The arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.”

Teodoro said the organizers verified that the note came from the Chinese Defense Attache. Asked if he thought the situation in the West Philippine Sea would worsen, Teodoro replied, “Hindi ko masabi, pero ready for anything naman. Hindi naman tayo puwedeng mag-back down, yun naman ang importante diyan eh.” He added that there was no need to answer possible propaganda from China following his remarks. “Problema na nila yun. Hindi ba? Problema na nila yun. Eh, I mean, hindi na naman na natin siguro kailangan na sagutin yun, di ba?” Teodoro said.

Senators thanked Teodoro for his statements in Seoul. “I salute you,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri told Teodoro during the hearing of the Committee on Foreign Relations. “That’s the way to do it. You put these people in their proper place. Tama lang po yan, Secretary,” Zubiri added.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo told Teodoro: “What you did, Sir, during that forum, your actions, tama po yun.” In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila reiterated that it has sovereignty over the area and that the Philippine aircraft was “seriously threatening the safety of Chinese personnel stationed there, and seriously violating international law and the basic norms governing international relations.” “China took necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its sovereignty and security. The operations at the scene were professional, restrained, and conducted in a standardized manner. China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely oppose all acts of infringement,” Guo Wei, Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, also said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com