Chinese fighter jet performs close maneuvers around Philippine aircraft in South China Sea

A Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft conducted unsafe and coercive maneuvers around a Philippine Air Force C-208 aircraft during a routine maritime patrol near Bajo de Masinloc on October 3. The Chinese jet repeatedly approached and maneuvered in close proximity, posing an aviation safety risk. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) described this as a recurring pattern of behavior against Philippine government vessels and aircraft operating lawfully in the West Philippine Sea.