PH to China: No backing down, not provoking conflict

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday reiterated that the Philippines will continue to defend its territory and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea without provoking conflict, following reports of dangerous aerial maneuvers by a Chinese fighter jet against a Philippine coast guard aircraft.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been informed of the incident, along with the sighting of two US Navy warships near Zambales during a PCG maritime domain awareness flight.

Castro said the presence of the US ships was “in accordance with international law.”

“Kung anuman po ang mangyayari dito, ang sabi nga din ng pangulo, ang administrasyon at gobyerno ay hindi nagpo-provoke ng anuman. Dumidepensa lamang tayo at pinagpapatuloy ang pagprotekta at paglaban para sa ating teritoryo at sovereign rights,” she said.

[Translation: Whatever happens here, the president has said that the administration and government are not provoking anything. We are only defending ourselves and continuing to protect and fight for our territory and sovereign rights.)

The PCG earlier reported that a People’s Liberation Army J-15 fighter jet intercepted a PCG Caravan surveillance aircraft at close range, flying as near as 500 feet laterally and repeatedly shifting positions during a 20-minute encounter. The PCG warned the maneuvers were dangerous and could have caused an accident.

China’s warning

The incident drew sharp words from China’s state-run Global Times, which accused the Marcos administration of attempting to “divert domestic tensions” and “cement its legal claims” in the South China Sea, warning that if the Philippines “persists in its provocation” it would face “more targeted countermeasures.”

Castro rejected the narrative and noted the Philippines’ actions are defensive and grounded in international law.

“Iyan po ang kanilang naratibo, pero muli uulitin ko lamang ang sinabi ng Pangulo, tayo ay hindi aatras sa laban, pero hindi po tayo nagpo-provoke. We are not waging any war against any country; tayo ay dumidipensa lamang para sa ating karapatan,” she said.

[Translation: That is their narrative, but I will repeat what the president said: We will not back down from the fight, but we are not provoking. We are not waging any war against any country. We are only defending our rights.]

She also cited the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea, affirming the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is expected to study the PCG report to determine possible diplomatic action.