Kalayaan Island Group, Philippines – Chinese forces fired flares directly at Philippine Coast Guard Caravan aircraft during routine Maritime Domain Awareness flights over the Kalayaan Island Group.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its aircraft were conducting normal monitoring operations when the incident occurred at Panganiban Reef and Zamora Reefs. The patrol flights were described as peaceful and aimed at observing maritime activity and ensuring safety in the area.

According to the report, the Chinese actions were described as aggressive and dangerous, with flares directed at unarmed aircraft. The incident was said to pose a risk to personnel on board and to violate international aviation safety standards.

The Philippine Coast Guard also stated that radio communications from Chinese forces during the encounter included claims of “indisputable sovereignty” over the area. These claims were linked to what was described as illegally reclaimed and militarized positions in the West Philippine Sea.

Officials referenced the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, stating that the assertions have no legal basis under international law and are part of wider tensions in the region.

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