PLA warns off 3 Philippine aircraft over Huangyan Island airspace

The People's Liberation Army mobilized its air and naval forces on Friday to monitor and warn off three Philippine planes that illegally flew into China's territorial airspace over the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Li Jianjian, spokesman for the PLA Southern Theater Command's air force, said in a statement that three small Philippine aircraft — an Islander, a C-208 and a PA-31T — intruded into China's territorial airspace over Huangyan Island without approval from the Chinese government.

The PLA Southern Theater Command deployed naval and air forces to track and monitor the aircraft, and issued radio warnings in accordance with laws and regulations, Li said.

The Philippine side's actions have seriously violated China's sovereignty and could easily lead to misunderstanding and miscalculation, he added.

"We demand that the Philippine side immediately stop its infringing and provocative acts. Our command's forces always maintain a high state of alert at all times and will resolutely defend our national sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability," the spokesman said.

All three aircraft types used by the Philippines are known to be in service with the Philippine military and coast guard for maritime patrol and surveillance missions, according to public information.