China aggression in West Philippine Sea getting frequent – AFP
THE military has recorded at least five other “incidents” since a Chinese vessel challenged a Philippine military plane in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) last April 19, an official told a Senate hearing on Thursday.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on national defense, Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Western Command, reported China’s “aggressiveness” over the disputed islands.
In at least six recorded instances starting last year, Lopez said, Chinese maritime enforcement forces have already shown “aggressiveness when it forcefully drove away Filipino fishermen away” from Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).
“Just last week, as we were conducting our routine and regular maritime air patrols and flying in international airspace between Pagasa Island and Subi reef, our Philippine Air Force hover aircraft was challenged over the radio,” he said.
“Please note the recorded voice message as reflected in 19 of April this year when the Chinese conveyed that our own planes were on their military security area,” said the military official.
READ: Patrol flights to continue over West Philippine Sea–AFP
At least five other recorded incidents, he said, happened after April 19.
“The latest one was yesterday when we again conducted our routine maritime patrol,” Lopez added.
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