The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday maintained it will continue conducting maritime patrols despite the recent involving two Chinese military aircrafts over Bajo de Masinloc.

Armed Forces spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, said the AFP strongly condemned the dangerous maneuvers employed by the Chinese military aircrafts on a Philippine Air Force plane which was conducting a routine patrol over Bajo de Masinloc - also called Panatag and Scarborough Shoal - last Thursday.

"Itong ating Airforce NC-212i was conducting a routine mid maritime patrol sa ating area ng Bajo de Masinloc, noong naobserve nilang may dalawang aircraft ng PLA Airforce nga na nag-execute ng dangerous maneuver. Around 9 a.m. ito. Nagdrop sila ng flare sa path ng ating NC-212i," she said in an interview on Teleradyo Sebisyo.

READ: AFP says Chinese planes dropped flares in path of PAF patrol over Bajo de Masinloc

READ: Marcos condemns Chinese air force's aggression over Scarborough Shoal

The flares posed dangers on the propeller driven NC-212i.

"'Yung insidente na paglipad na malapit sa ating aircraft post a threat sa ating PAF aircraft at sa kanilang crew. Nag-interfere sa lawful flight operation sa airspace ng ating Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction," said Padilla.

She said that the PAF plane received two radio challenges from the Chinese aircrafts.

"We responded according to our standard operating procedures and we reaffirmed that we're conducting a lawful maritime patrol within our Philippine exclusive economic zone and itong ginagawa natin is in compliance with international law including the principle of freedom of navigation and flight," asserted Padilla.

READ: PCG keeps presence in Bajo de Masinloc despite China's arrest threat 

The PAF airplane eventually managed to return to Clark Air Base with its personnel unharmed.

She said that the incident won't deter the Philippine forces from continuing with its routine patrols.

"Naisubmit na po natin ito sa Department of Foreign Affairs, sila na po ang moving forward to deal with this," said the AFP spokesperson.

"Tayo naman po we will continue to conduct this maritime patrol. Regular naman din nating itong kino-conduct. We want to safeguard our territorial integrity and assert our sovereign rights in the area."