Philippine military says Chinese air force jets endangered its patrol plane with flares, risky moves

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine military chief has condemned what he said was the provocative actions of two Chinese air force aircraft that executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane on routine patrol in the South China Sea. Gen. Romeo Brawner said on Saturday that all those aboard the Philippine air force NC-212i light transport plane were unharmed and returned safely to Clark Air Base north of Manila after Thursday morning’s incident over the Scarborough Shoal. He didn’t provide additional details. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said a Philippine Air Force aircraft on Thursday “illegally” entered the airspace above the shoal and disrupted its training activities.