Thursday, May 7, 2015

China continues to harass PH air patrols in West PH Sea

From InterAksyon (May 7): China continues to harass PH air patrols in West PH Sea

At least 6 incidents are recorded since the April 19 incident over Subi (Zamora) Reef, says Westcom chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez

PHILIPPINE AIR DEFENSE. A Fokker plane of the Philippine Air Force.

PHILIPPINE AIR DEFENSE. A Fokker plane of the Philippine Air Force.

China's harassment of Philippine planes on West Philippine Sea patrol continues, according to Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez.

At least 6 incidents were recorded since the April 19 incident over Subi (Zamora) Reef near Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island, Lopez said in a presentation on Thursday's, May 7, hearing on the situation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

On April 19, a Chinese Navy frigate in a radio message ordered a Philippine Air Force (PAF) on patrol to stay away from the reef already reclaimed by China. The Chinese frigate also blinked its lights, a move that is considered provocative.

Wescom recorded China's audio message: Foreign airplane you are approaching my military security area. Please go away quickly in order to avoid misjudgment. Foreign airplane you are approaching my area. Please go away quickly to avoid wrong judgment."

A military source said the frigate was calling out the Philippine plane for getting "a little too close" to its location.

While incidents between Chinese and Phiilppine sea vessels have been common, Lopez earlier told Rappler this was the first time that China challenged a Philippine plane.

[Video report: The first time China drove away PH plane in West PH Sea  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMmQaAyN6c]

http://www.rappler.com/nation/92415-china-harassment-air-patrols-west-ph-sea

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