Manila Says Chinese Forces Fired Flares at a Coast Guard Aircraft Over the Spratlys

The Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese forces fired flares towards one of its unarmed aircraft during a surveillance flight over the Spratly Islands. The South China Morning Post reported that the coast guard released video showing the Chinese military appearing to fire flares near the aircraft as it flew close to Subi and Mischief Reefs, features the Philippines calls Zamora and Panganiban.

BusinessWorld reported the flight took place on September 7 and that Chinese forces at Subi challenged the aircraft by radio before firing flares, with forces at Mischief repeating the action. The crew said the discharge of flares at an aircraft in flight endangers flight safety. Philstar reported the crew also observed a substantial number of Chinese maritime militia vessels sheltering inside the lagoons of both reefs. The Philippine crew told the Chinese side by radio that its presence on the reclaimed features violates international law and that the flight was routine.

The disclosure is part of a broader Philippine practice of publishing evidence rather than handling incidents quietly. The South China Morning Post noted separately this week that Manila made public a Chinese diplomatic note on the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and has consistently described Philippine operations there as intrusions into Chinese territory. The South China Morning Post account of the September 7 flight carried Manila's version and video without a Chinese response.