Philippines to File Diplomatic Protest Against China Over Airspace Incident

The Philippines plans to file a diplomatic protest against China following a recent incident involving Air Force planes in the South China Sea. The incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal with Chinese planes dropping flares in the path of a Philippine aircraft. Despite the tension, maritime patrols will continue.

The Philippines announced plans to file a diplomatic protest against China over a recent incident involving Air Force planes in the airspace above a South China Sea shoal, stated Manila's Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on Monday.

The Southeast Asian nation will persist with maritime patrols in the South China Sea despite the 'dangerous and provocative' actions by China's Air Force last week, according to military chief Romeo Brawner. The Philippine military reported that two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting a routine patrol over the Scarborough Shoal on Aug. 8.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed hope that China would adhere to international law and de-escalate tensions. President Ferdinand Marcos on Sunday labeled China's actions as 'unjustified, illegal, and reckless', meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately comment. On Saturday, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army accused the Philippine aircraft of illegal intrusion despite repeated warnings.

(With inputs from agencies.)