MANILA, Philippines — The United States condemned China’s latest aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea after a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) helicopter conducted dangerous flight maneuvers against a Philippine aircraft near Bajo de Masinloc.
“We condemn the dangerous maneuvers by a PLA Navy helicopter that endangered pilots and passengers on a Philippine air mission,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“We call on China to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law,” she added.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 7:00 a.m. when the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over the territorial airspace of Bajo de Masinloc.
Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and photojournalists were also aboard the aircraft.
At around 8:39 a.m., a PLA-Navy helicopter, identified by tail number 68, engaged in reckless flight maneuvers, coming as close as three meters to the BFAR aircraft’s port side and above it.
The maneuver posed a serious threat to the safety of the pilots and passengers, according to authorities.
The PCG and BFAR criticized the PLA-Navy’s actions as a clear violation of international aviation regulations under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Chinese authorities have continued to conduct intrusions in the disputed maritime area despite the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling, which grants the Philippines full authority over the region. However, China has dismissed the international tribunal’s decision and continues to patrol the area.
Republika News 
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