Manila –
A Coast Guard ship China drove away a patrol plane Filipina in the air over the Spratlys Islands which lie in the water South China Sea which is in dispute. In a verbal order via a radio operator, the Chinese coast guard ship asked the Philippine patrol aircraft to leave immediately.
As reported AFPFriday (10/3/2023), when the incident occurred, a patrol plane belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard Authority was carrying a number of journalists to fly over dozens of small islands and reefs in disputed waters between the Philippines, China and several other countries .
AFP being one of the media that gets a rare opportunity to take part in this activity.
The verbal order for the Philippine patrol plane to leave the disputed area immediately was conveyed via a radio operator on a Chinese Coast Guard ship sailing about 1,066 meters below the patrol plane.
The Chinese Coast Guard ship is one of dozens of Chinese vessels detected roaming the disputed waters.
In that verbal order, the Chinese Coast Guard ship also tried to expel foreign planes that were flying in the area.
“You have entered the Chinese reef (surrounding waters) and are a security threat. To avoid misunderstandings, leave immediately,” said a verbal order from the Chinese Coast Guard ship’s radio operation to a Philippine patrol plane.
It said a total of seven verbal orders were given in both Chinese and English as the Philippine patrol aircraft hovered over the islands and shoals controlled by Manila.
Check out the full news on the next page.
(nvc/ita)
