PH military says ‘close encounter’ with China fighter plane near Bajo de Masinloc
The Philippine military reported a close encounter between a Philippine C-208 aircraft and a Chinese J-16 fighter jet near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The AFP described the Chinese maneuvers as unsafe and part of a recurring pattern of coercive behavior in the region.
Why it matters
This incident highlights escalating geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, raising concerns about potential military miscalculations and regional stability.
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BLOCKED. A satellite image of fishing vessels at the entrance, which is blocked by a floating barrier, to the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea, April 11, 2026.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed a close encounter between a military plane and a Chinese J-16 fighter during a maritime patrol near Bajo de Masinloc on October 3. The AFP stated that the Chinese aircraft's maneuvers posed aviation safety risks and highlighted a pattern of unsafe behavior against Philippine vessels and aircraft in the area. Bajo de Masinloc is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone but has been controlled by China since 2012, leading to ongoing tensions between the two countries over sovereignty claims. This is AI-generated.
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