Phil Navy condemns Chinese helicopter's unsafe maneuvers near Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday condemned the 'unsafe maneuvers' of a Chinese military helicopter that followed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane over Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said these actions were uncalled for and unprofessional, emphasizing adherence to rules of engagement and international law to prevent potential accidents.

On Saturday, a Chinese military helicopter flew dangerously close to the BFAR plane after radio warnings from a Chinese Navy warship, prompting the BFAR pilot to issue a warning to the Chinese crew.

Trinidad noted that tailing or getting too close to another aircraft increases the risk of incidents and poses danger for pilots and passengers.

Bajo de Masinloc is within the Philippines' 75-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and is a subject of territorial disputes involving multiple countries.

China's claims over almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by other nations like the Philippines, were rejected by an international arbitration tribunal in 2016, which ruled that China had 'no legal basis' for its claims.