Manila, Feb. 14 -- The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Friday expressed concern over the recent flare deployment of a Chinese fighter jet in front of an Australian military aircraft on patrol in the South China Sea.

"All countries are expected to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in and above international sea lines of communication, such as the South China Sea, and to avoid interference in legitimate activities conducted in international waters and airspace," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army-Air Force (PLA-AF) J-16 fighter plane conducted "unsafe maneuvers" and deployed flares in close proximity to the Royal Aus...