MANILA (UPDATED) — The People’s Republic of China launched flares towards a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft on patrol over Pag-asa Island earlier this week, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said Saturday.

In a statement, the task force said People's Liberation Army Air Force's fighter jet 63270 executed dangerous maneuvers and deployed flares multiple times a "dangerously" close distance of approximately 15 meters from BFAR's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft while conducting a maritime domain awareness flight near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)

"The Chinese fighter jet was in no way provoked, yet its actions demonstrated hazardous intent that jeopardized the safety of the personnel onboard the BFAR aircraft," the NTF-WPS said. 

FLARES DEPLOYED FROM ZAMORA REEF

On August 22, China again launched flares from its military base on Zamora Reef (Subi Reef) during a patrol with the Philippine Coast Guard against poachers in the Kalayaan Island Group.

"While the BFAR was conducting the routine patrol, the PRC unjustifiably deployed flares from Zamora Reef," the task force said.

The incidents were the third air harassment of China this month after two Chinese air force's multi-role fighters also conducted dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares against the Philippine Air Force's patrol aircraft. 

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

The Philippines called on China to cease "provocative and dangerous actions" and maintained its activities over its territory and exclusive economic zone are legitimate, in accordance with international law.

"We firmly reiterate our call on the government of the People's Republic of China to immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft engaged in legitimate and regular activities within Philippine territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the right of all vessels and aircraft exercising freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea," the NTF-WPS said. 

"Such actions undermine regional peace and security, and further erode the image of the PRC with the international community. The Philippines remains steadfast in exercising its rights to strengthen maritime domain awareness within our sovereign territory, national airspace, and EEZ, as well as in the high seas, in accordance with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award," it added. 

CHINA: COUNTERMEASURES USED VS PHILIPPINE MILITARY AIRCRAFT

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday night said that it had used countermeasures against "two Philippine military aircraft trespassed into the airspace near the Nansha Islands, including Zhubi Jiao (Subi Reef), where China is stationed."

READ:  China says took 'countermeasures' against Philippine aircraft in South China Sea

It did not specify what the countermeasures used were, but said its actions were "professional, restrained, and standardized".

BFAR is a civilian agency under the Department of Agriculture.

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan is commonly configured either as a two-seater cargo or 11-seater passenger aircraft.