The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Chinese military stationed at Mischief (Panganiban) Reef fired flares as its aircraft conducted a maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group on Friday.
The PCG Cessna Caravan noted that the flares were released and radio challenges were issued when it flew near the reef, which serves as one of China’s largest air and naval bases in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“We cannot really expect how far the flares can reach the aircraft,” PCG spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said.
“We need to emphasize that the Chinese government does not have indisputable sovereignty in Panganiban Reef and that falls within our exclusive economic zone,” he added.
The PCG Cessna Caravan monitored around 30 Chinese maritime militia vessels near Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.
The said aircraft also passed over Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre is grounded.
