- China deployed a JL-10 trainer jet carrying live missiles to intimidate Philippine military transport planes in the South China Sea.
- Chinese military pilots warned Philippine aircraft to leave Huangyan Dao territorial airspace, stating, "To avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations, leave immediately."
- On 2 September, Philippine aircraft were intercepted by Chinese fighter jets over Bajo de Masinloc, which the AFP described as a coercive act.
- AFP condemned the interception as 'coercive and aggressive' and reaffirmed its resolve to continue patrols in the area.
- Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
- Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that a Chinese J-10 fighter intercepted the Philippine aircraft during a regular maritime air patrol.
- Trinidad stated that such actions by China would only strengthen the Philippines' resolve to continue its patrols.
China's deployment of the JL-10 trainer jet to intercept Philippine aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc has escalated tensions in the South China Sea. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned the interception as a coercive and aggressive act aimed at asserting Beijing's control over the disputed area.5
The incident occurred during a routine maritime air patrol on September 2, when a Chinese J-10 fighter intercepted three Philippine aircraft, including the C-208 and NC-212 turboprop planes. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the AFP’s special spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, stated, “They were intercepted by fighter aircraft from the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Air Force or the PLA Navy.” He noted that the crosshairs of the Chinese fighter aircraft were aimed at the Philippine planes, indicating a serious escalation in military posturing.67
In response, Trinidad emphasized that such actions would only strengthen the Philippines' resolve to continue its patrols in the area. He stated, “Rather than weaken our resolve, such actions like this will only further strengthen it.” The Philippines plans to maintain its operations and collaborate with allies, including the United States, Japan, and Australia, to uphold international law.
The JL-10, equipped with live missiles, was deployed as part of China's readiness patrols in the region, which includes the Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal). The Chinese military issued warnings to Philippine pilots, urging them to leave the area to avoid misunderstandings.
Bajo de Masinloc is located within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, making the interception a significant point of contention in the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“The JL-10, designed for low-altitude, low-speed operations, conducted close-in surveillance and bilingual warnings, with footage showing PLA vessels including a Type 052C destroyer. AFP's Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the interception aimed to weaken resolve but instead strengthened it, vowing continued patrols with allies like Japan and Australia.”
