MANILA, Philippines – NAKAUMANG na maghain ng diplomatic protest ang Pilipinas sa “reckless” maneuvers ng isang Chinese military helicopter malapit sa magaan na sasakyang panghimpapawid ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) na nasa routine patrol sa Bajo de Masinloc.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ng National Maritime Council (NMC) na lumipad at umali-aligid ang Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter kasing-lapit, o may tatlong metro ang lapit sa Cessna ng BFAR sa Bajo de Masinloc, araw ng Martes.
“This blatantly hazardous action endangered the safety of the pilots and passengers onboard. It demonstrated a lack of regard for internationally accepted norms on good airmanship and flight safety,” ang sinabi ng NMC.
Ayon sa NMC, hindi maikakaila na ang Pilipinas ay mayroong soberanya at hurisdiksyon sa Bajo de Masinloc.
Kilala rin bilang Scarborough Shoal at Panatag Shoal, ang Bajo de Masinloc ay matatagpuan sa 124 nautical miles mula Zambales at nasa loob ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
“China’s illegal, coercive, and aggressive behavior will not deter the Philippines from continuing the conduct of its routine maritime operations in accordance with its sovereignty over the shoal,” ang tinuran ng NMC.
Giit ng NMC, hindi magpapatinag ang Pilipinas sa tungkulin nito na pangalagaan at ipagtanggol ang maritime interests nito sa shoal, alinsunod sa Republic Act 12064 o Philippine Maritime Zones Act and international law, partikular na ang UNCLOS at ang 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
“The Philippine Government will also issue a formal diplomatic protest on this grave incident,” ang sinabi ng NMC.
“The Philippines is committed to the rule of law and will always uphold international law. We urge China to respect international law, engage in responsible state behavior, pursue peaceful settlement of disputes, and refrain from actions that undermine regional peace and stability,” dagdag na pahayag nito. Kris Jose
