Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 26) — Chinese jets on Sunday shadowed a Filipino aircraft during a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippines and Australia in the West Philippine Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner said.
The Philippines and Australia on Saturday kicked off the three-day MCA meant to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations.
READ: PH, Australia launch first maritime cooperative activity
\”May shadowing lang, may shadowing dun sa maritime, tapos dun sa air. May dalawang Chinese jet fighters na umikot dun sa plane natin, inikutan lang naman, inikutan,\” Brawner said in a phone interview on Sunday.
[Translation: There was shadowing in the maritime, in the air. Two Chinese jet fighters circled our plane.]
He said the Chinese jets circled a Super Tucano light attack aircraft of the Philippine Air Force over Hubo Reef in the Kalayaan Island Group on Sunday morning.
The Pinoy aircraft was flying alone when China’s jets converged around it. It maintained a straight path and was able to complete its patrol, despite Beijing’s interference. Brawner said no radio challenges were issued.
The AFP chief said the exercise was conducted in accordance with the rule of law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Just two days before the Philippines and Australia’s MCA, Manila and Washington concluded their own series of exercises in the waters off Batanes and in the West Philippine Sea.
