In the face of China’s aggressive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy has vowed to adhere strictly to both domestic and international laws in all its operations. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the spokesperson for the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea, emphasized this commitment following a recent incident involving a Chinese military helicopter and a Philippine fisheries aircraft.
The incident occurred on February 18, when a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter engaged in dangerous maneuvers near a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting a routine surveillance flight over Bajo de Masinloc. Despite such provocations, Trinidad assured that the actions of the Philippine Navy and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would remain within legal boundaries.
Trinidad stressed that while the Philippines cannot control the actions of foreign militaries, particularly the PLAN, it would not engage in illegal or coercive activities. He highlighted the AFP’s commitment to professionalism and its continuous presence in the maritime region to monitor the situation.
In a separate statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla called on the PLAN to cease its illegal and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. She urged respect for Philippine sovereignty and adherence to international law to foster a rules-based order and regional peace.
Padilla condemned the PLAN’s reckless maneuvers near the BFAR aircraft, noting that they endangered the lives of the pilots and passengers. She described these actions as a clear violation of international norms on airmanship and flight safety.
The AFP, in collaboration with national maritime agencies, remains dedicated to conducting lawful maritime operations to protect the Philippines’ territorial integrity and its citizens.