A Chinese Navy helicopter flies within three meters of a surveillance flight over Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Coast Guard

The US Embassy in the Philippines on Wednesday criticized the “dangerous maneuvers” executive by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter towards a Philippine surveillance aircraft.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the US condemn the dangerous maneuvers by a PLA Navy helicopter that endangered pilots and passengers on a Philippine air mission.

The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday reported that a PLA Navy helicopter, identified by plane tail number 68, flew dangerously close to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane during its surveillance flight over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

The PLA Navy helicopter came as close as three meters to the left side and above the BFAR aircraft.

“This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers during the MDA flight,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela earlier said.

The US Embassy called on China to “refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.”

Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag and Scarborough Shoal, is located off Masinloc, Zambales, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Philippine government plans to issue a formal diplomatic protest over the incident, according to the National Maritime Council.