The Philippine Air Force dispatched a plane to patrol the country's border with Taiwan amid territorial disputes with China.

Video shows a C-295 aircraft monitoring the Northern Luzon Seaboard, including the Philippines' northernmost regions of Itbayat, Sabtang, and the Babuyan Islands, on February 24.

The Philippine Air Force said in a statement: 'On February 24, 2024, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) provided aerial support to the Northern Luzon Command, AFP (NOLCOM) Maritime Air Patrol (MARPAT) operations in the Northern Luzon Seaboard.

'Executing the mission with a C-295 aircraft, the PAF covered key areas, including Itbayat, Sabtang, and Babuyan Islands. No significant activities or sightings were reported during the monitoring of these areas.

'Collaborating closely with other branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and unified commands, the PAF remains committed to ensuring a coordinated response and comprehensive security along the country's maritime borders.'

The patrol comes as Taiwan, which China views as part of its territory, and the Philippines grapple with mounting 'harassment' from China over sovereignty claims.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro had recently ordered the Philippine military to deploy more troops to Batanes province facing Taiwan during a visit to the province's Mavulis Island on February 6.

While Taiwan's defence ministry reported on February 14 that 14 Chinese planes were carrying out 'joint combat readiness patrols' with Chinese warships, with nine aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line.

Last week, Chinese vessels chased a Philippine supply boat delivering aid to fishermen in contested waters in the South China Sea.

China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.