Palace to probe Chinese military’s warning on PH aircraft in WPS

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said an investigation will be held whether the Philippine military aircraft got a warning from Chinese military while conducting over flight over disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he has yet to get information about the reported Chinese military’s two warnings, including one to Philippine military aircraft.

“Investigation will be conducted but if the information is true, the good news is hindi naman nagpatakot iyong ating mga piloto. Tinuloy pa rin nila iyong lipad nila dahil mayroon naman tayong teritoryo doon (the good news is our pilots were not rattled. They continued their flights because we have territory there),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

According to media reports, the Chinese military ordered: “Philippine Military aircraft, I’m warning you again: Leave immediately or you will bear responsibility for all the consequences”. The Chinese military also reportedly issued warning to the US military aircraft which also conducted over flights over the South China Sea.

The US military aircraft pilots have been told that China has “sovereignty of the Nashan Islands, Spratlys including inaudible reef and its adjacent waters”.

Roque said the Philippines will continue to assert its sovereignty in the WPS despite China’s refusal to recognize an arbitral tribunal’s ruling nullifying a nine-dash line map that China uses to claim nearly the entire South China Sea.

“They will not stop us. We will continue with our flights. We will assert our sovereignty. And if need be Filipino pilots will die for our sovereignty,” the Palace spokesman said.

The Philippines-China relations continued to improve under President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership which opted to discuss contentious issues, including WPS dispute, in a peaceful and friendly dialogues. (PNA)