PAF concerned over increase in foreign aircraft intruding PH airspace

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The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has expressed concern over the reported increase in foreign aircraft illegally entering Philippine airspace.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on 24 Oras on Wednesday, the PAF said it is difficult to determine which nation these intruders are from when they enter the country’s skies without asking for permission.

“They are almost outside the 24 nautical mile limit, near the 12-mile limit, maybe they are just testing us and this is very concerning for us,” said Brigadier General Leo Fontanilla, the commander of the 5th Fighter Wing.

He said these may either be military or commercial aircraft.

Since PAF has limited capabilities, Fontanilla said they are unable to intercept most of the foreign aircraft that enter Philippine airspace.

“It’s very costly to intercept these intrusions (of) these aircraft, unmanned or manned, so we have to be selective,” he said.

Meanwhile in the Philippine Rise, the Philippine Navy spotted two Chinese research vessels last Monday, but they believe the two ships are just avoiding Typhoon Marce.

“So nothing to be scared of, nothing to be alarmed about,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, also noted that the presence of the Chinese government maritime forces has decreased significantly because of the very bad weather in the WPS. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News

This article PAF concerned over increase in foreign aircraft intruding PH airspace was originally published in GMA News Online.