China fires flares at unarmed PCG aircraft in WPS

Chinese forces fired multiple flares at an unarmed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft during a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), prompting Manila to denounce the latest incident in the West Philippine Sea.

The incident occurred on Sept. 7 as the PCG aircraft conducted its surveillance mission before landing on Pag-asa Island.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said Chinese forces occupying Zamora (Subi) Reef first challenged the aircraft by radio before firing flares in its direction.

The same maneuver was later carried out by Chinese forces occupying Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

In both encounters, the Filipino aircrew told the Chinese forces that their presence on the illegally reclaimed features violates international law. The crew also emphasized that the PCG flight was a routine and legitimate operation.

The surveillance mission provided the PCG with a closer look at the two contested features. A considerable number of Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were seen taking shelter inside their lagoons.

The PCG said no personnel were observed on the decks of the vessels or on the reclaimed facilities. No vehicular movement was also detected on the artificial islands.

“The PCG will continue to conduct MDA flights over the West Philippine Sea undeterred, and will continue to document and expose China’s aggression and violations of international law,” Tarriela said.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the use of flares against an aircraft was serious enough to speak for itself.

“Flares were fired at an unarmed Coast Guard aircraft. The PCG does not need to characterize this behavior,” Gavan said.

He pointed to the 2016 Arbitral Award, which ruled that Panganiban Reef is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Gavan said China’s reclamation activities at the reef violated Philippine sovereign rights.

He also warned that firing flares near an aircraft in flight creates a safety risk and runs counter to China’s obligation under the Convention on International Civil Aviation to exercise due regard for the safety of other aircraft.