Chinese jet, helicopter harass PH patrol plane over Scarborough Shoal

MANILA, Philippines, October 17 ------ Supply in the Luzon power grid was back to normal Monday evening after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) raised red and yellow alerts earlier in the day. The private grid operator announced the status in an advisory at 8:26 p.m. The grid was on red alert from 1 p.m., which meant supply was not enough to meet demand that resulted in power outages in some provinces.

NGCP earlier said the red alert was raised as five power plants were on forced outage, while three others had low output. The alert was downgraded to yellow by 6 p.m., which meant power reserves were thin. Power was restored in parts of Luzon before the yellow alert was lifted.

Second buoy. During the same flight, the PCG also discovered a second yellow floating buoy at the northern tip of the shoal, days after spotting an identical buoy at the center. The agency said both were recently installed but did not specify by whom. The PCG said its personnel also verified reports of a “structure” seen inside the reef by cross-checking historical satellite imagery, which showed debris that had existed for at least two years, indicating there was no ongoing construction.

Heightened activities. The aerial hostilities occurred amid heightened Chinese activity in the waters off Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground located about 120 nautical miles west of Zambales province, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China seized control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012 after a months-long standoff and has since maintained a near-constant presence of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the area. Days before this patrol flight, the PCG also reported harassment from Chinese vessels in the waters off Scarborough Shoal while it was distributing provisions to Filipino fishers. During this particular incident, the PCG said it faced 11 CCG vessels and 11 maritime militia vessels that executed "dangerous maneuvers and blocking actions," which delayed the deliveries.

Nature reserve plan. Beijing earlier announced plans to establish a “national nature reserve” over part of Scarborourugh Shoal — a move the Philippine government formally protested as illegal and inconsistent with international law. China has defended the move as part of efforts to "preserve biodiversity," but observers see it as China's further attempts to consolidate and assert control over the area.

Much of the coral at Scarborough Shoal has already been destroyed by years of giant-clam harvesting by Chinese fishers and poachers, leaving deep scars across the reef even as Beijing now seeks to designate the area as a nature zone. After the aerial harassment, PCG vowed to continue regular patrols over the West Philippine Sea. “In the face of such aggressive actions, the PCG remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold international law and safeguard maritime jurisdiction,” the PCG said.

Source: philstar.com