Chinese helicopter makes ‘dangerous maneuvers’ over Bajo de Masinloc - PCG

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, called out the “dangerous maneuvers” of a Chinese navy helicopter over Bajo de Masinloc, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone.

In a statement, the PCG said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), along with the coast guard and photojournalists, conducted a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over Bajo de Masinloc, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal, on Tuesday morning.

It said a People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter with tail number 68 went to within a few meters of the BFAR aircraft at 8:39 a.m.

“This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers during the MDA flight,” the PCG said.

“The PLA-Navy helicopter came as close as three meters to the port side and above the BFAR aircraft, raising significant concerns regarding the PLA-Navy's clear violation and blatant disregard for the International Civil Aviation Organization's international aviation regulations,” the PCG added.

The Chinese embassy was asked to comment.

“The PCG and BFAR remain committed to asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, despite the aggressive and escalatory actions of China,” the PCG said.

China rejects the 2016 arbitral award that invalidated its sweeping claim over the entire South China Sea.

Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag Shoal, is around 120 nautical miles away from mainland Zambales, and within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The PCG has been monitoring Chinese vessels in the disputed atoll. On Feb. 14, the coast guard said the largest Chinese coast guard vessel left the area after staying for more than a month.