The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fired multiple flares at an unarmed PCG aircraft conducting a legitimate Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on September 7.
According to PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea RAdm. Jay Tarriela, the aircraft was challenged over radio by Chinese forces occupying Zamora (Subi) Reef before it landed on Pag-asa Island. The Chinese forces then fired flares in the aircraft’s direction.
Chinese forces occupying Panganiban (Mischief) Reef also reportedly fired flares at the PCG aircraft.
In both incidents, the PCG aircrew told the Chinese forces over radio that their presence on the reclaimed features violates international law and that the MDA flight was a routine and legitimate Philippine operation.
The PCG aircrew also observed a considerable number of Chinese Maritime Militia vessels sheltered inside the lagoons of both features. No personnel were seen on the vessels or reclaimed facilities, while no vehicular movement was monitored on the artificial islands.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the incident demonstrated the nature of the Chinese forces’ actions.
“Flares were fired at an unarmed Coast Guard aircraft. The PCG does not need to characterize this behavior,” Gavan said.
Gavan also cited the 2016 Arbitral Award, which ruled that Panganiban Reef is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and that China’s reclamation activities there violated Philippine sovereign rights.
The PCG said the firing of flares at an aircraft in flight also poses a flight safety risk and disregards the duty of due regard under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The Coast Guard said it will continue conducting MDA flights over the West Philippine Sea despite the incident and will continue documenting what it described as China’s acts of aggression and violations of international law.
The PCG reiterated its commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy that the Philippines will not yield its rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea.
