PH can’t confirm Chinese bomber flight over Scarborough

A Chinese H-6K long range bomber flies over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone after the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration trashed China’s 9-Dash Line claim. SCREENGRAB FROM CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL INFORMATION OFFICE TWITTER PAGE / WEIBO.COM

The Philippine government said it was unaware that China flew one of its nuclear-capable bombers over the Scarborough Shoal last week.

“We cannot confirm that because we do not have any [information] from our side. We cannot confirm it, not even our allies can confirm it,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

China’s State Council Information Office posted on Twitter last week the photos of its H-6K bomber flying over the contested shoal a few days after the international arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines in its maritime case against China over the South China Sea.

READ: LOOK: Chinese bomber flies over Scarborough

“I think that news was issued by a daily from China so we don’t know if it’s true or not, or if it’s just a propaganda by them,” the defense chief said.

The H-6K is described as a strategic bomber capable of attacking US carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia.

Last week, The Hague arbitration court said in its decision over the maritime case that China’s nine-dash claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis.

READ: Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China over South China Sea

Lorenzana said there was nothing new in China’s stance even after the ruling.

“They have been defying the ruling since it was issued. In fact they have been saying they will not abide by the ruling when we filed the case in 2012, so walang pinagbago (nothing has changed),” he said.

Asked if China continues with its reclamation activities in the disputed seas, Lorenzana said they would not do anything to prevent it.

“I don’t think they will listen to us. Kung gagawin nila yun, gagawin nila kahit mag object tayo o hindi, so wala tayong magagawa (China will continue with its reclamation activities even if we object so there is nothing we can do about it),” he said. RAM/rga