Philippine military says Chinese air force jets endangered patrol plane

The Philippines and China have been in a dispute over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea (Philippine Coast Guard via AP, File)

The Philippine military chief has condemned what he said was the provocative actions of two Chinese air force aircraft that executed a dangerous manoeuvre and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane on routine patrol in the South China Sea.

All those aboard the Philippine air force NC-212i light transport plane were unharmed and returned safely to Clark Air Base, to the north of Manila, after Thursday morning’s incident over the Scarborough Shoal, General Romeo Brawner said, without providing other details.