Chinese Navy Helicopter Intercepts Philippine Cessna Over Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese Navy helicopter intercepted a Philippine civilian maritime domain awareness flight over the South China Sea in what Manila called a “blatantly hazardous action.”  A People’s Liberation Army Navy Z-9 utility helicopter intercepted the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Cessna 208B Grand Caravan during a routine patrol mission over Scarborough Shoal today at 8:39 a.m. local time, according to Philippine officials. A number of Philippine journalists were on board the Cessna during the encounter, which saw the Chinese helicopter fly as close as three meters from the turboprop aircraft. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela described China’s