South China Sea: PLA sends forces to monitor US-Philippines air patrols over disputed waters

Beijing accuses Manila of ‘roping in non-regional countries’ to stir trouble in the region as allies hold second drill this month

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This week’s US-Philippine joint patrols over the South China Sea include a B-52H bomber and FA-50 combat aircraft, according to the Philippine Air Force. Photo: Twitter/ Philippine Air Force

Published: 5:16pm, 20 Feb 2024

The People’s Liberation Army said it sent forces to the South China Sea to monitor the latest US-Philippines joint air patrol on Monday as the two allies launched their second drill in the disputed waters this month.

The air forces of the two countries conducted a patrol over the western Philippines as part of what they have called a “maritime cooperative activity”.

In response, China accused the Philippines of “roping in non-regional countries to stir trouble in the South China Sea” and “publicly hyping up a so-called joint air patrol”, though it did not directly refer to the United States.

The Southern Theatre Command, the PLA division that oversees the South China Sea, said on Monday night it had sent its naval and air forces to closely watch the situation. The command said it had kept the situation “under control” and that it would “maintain a high level of vigilance” to defend national sovereignty and preserve regional stability.

The Philippine Air Force sent three FA-50 combat aircraft while the US Pacific Air Forces sent a B-52H bomber to patrol the area, the Philippine Air Force said on Facebook.

Manila and Washington also carried out an air and sea patrol on February 9. Beijing responded with routine air and naval patrols and said it was maintaining a “high level of vigilance”.