SCARBOROUGH SHOAL: A Chinese navy helicopter flew extremely close, just 3 meters, to a Philippine patrol plane on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 over a disputed area in the South China Sea. The Filipino pilot warned over the radio- This is very dangerous!.

The helicopter was trying to force the Cessna Caravan plane, operated by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, out of the airspace near Scarborough Shoal, an area China claims as its own.

Foreign journalists on board the Philippine plane saw the scene, which lasted about 30 minutes. In spite of the helicopter hovering nearby and moving alongside in cloudy weather, the Philippine aircraft continued its low-altitude patrol.

At one point, the Filipino pilot told the Chinese helicopter, You are endangering our crew and passengers. Stay away! You are breaking international safety rules set by ICAO and FAA. The aviation rules, set by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization, ensure safe distances between aircraft to prevent collisions.

In response, the Philippine Coast Guard and Fisheries Bureau released in its  statement reaffirmed their commitment to protecting their country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, regardless of China's aggressive actions.

Chinese repeatedly claimed Scarborough Shoal and its surrounding waters, warning that they will defend their territorial interests.

This latest incident is part of a long-running dispute involving several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Tensions between China and the Philippines have worsened in the last two years, particularly near Scarborough Shoal and the Second Thomas Shoal, where a Philippine navy ship has served as an outpost since 1999.

China took control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine ships. The following year, the Philippines challenged China at an international arbitration court. In 2016, a United Nations-backed panel ruled against China's broad claims in the South China Sea under international law. However, China rejected the ruling and continues to ignore it.

China says most of the islands and rocks in the South China Sea belong to them, along with the waters around them. But other countries, especially the Philippines, also claim parts of this area, leading to disputes.