Two unidentified aircraft seen over Spratlys — AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday confirmed that two unidentified jet aircraft were flying over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea Wednesday. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. Our role to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory continues," AFP chief Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr. said in a statement. The AFP said the aircraft were observed by two OV-10s on a patrol mission in the contested territory. The Spratly Islands are a group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, sections of which are the subject of territorial dispute among the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Oscar S. Rabena lauded the pilots for performing well in their patrol mission. He also said the PAF will continue to “perform its mission and mandate in Palawan… and secure our Western frontier." Two unidentified aircraft According to the AFP, members of the PAF — on board two OV-10s — were on their way to their patrol mission when they spotted contrails, which they believed belong to fighter jets. “The jets were initially observed coming in from their left passing them from above still maintaining course and altitude proceeding to their destination which is towards the southwest of the South China Sea," the statement said. The AFP said the state pilots were not able to identify the aircraft “since [they were] at a very high altitude." The AFP also said fighter jets fly close on top of its intended target and eventually go lower in a fighting wing position, attacking the rear of embattled aircraft. “In this case, there was nothing of that sort that was observed. The jets were transiting towards an intended destination," the statement said, quoting Oban. “Equipment acquisition is imperative at this point in time. It may cost a lot of money but the Philippines cannot afford to remain an idle spectator in a region that is increasingly gearing itself towards a modern and better defense capability," he said. — JE, GMA News