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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China fires flares during PH patrol flight over Kalayaan Island Group – PCG

China fires flares during PH patrol flight over Kalayaan Island Group – PCG

Published Dec 7, 2025 09:17 am
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) documented a flare-firing incident by China and intensified foreign presence in several features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during a routine maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Saturday, Dec. 6, a ranking official said.
A BFAR aircraft departed Puerto Princesa International Airport early morning and conducted surveillance over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) where it observed multiple Chinese and Vietnamese vessels inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS.
At Zamora Reef, the BFAR aircraft captured video of three flares fired from the direction of the Chinese-occupied feature during its overflight. The incident did not cause any injury to the PCG or BFAR personnel. A Chinese hospital ship, two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and 29 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs) were also monitored anchored in the area.
In Escoda Shoal, a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessel with bow number “BN 539” located approximately 14.56 nautical miles northwest of the shoal repeatedly issued radio challenges despite the BFAR aircraft operating well within the country’s EEZ, the PCG said.
A Vietnamese survey vessel identified as “KN-374” was also seen operating near Pag-asa Cay, while two Vietnamese fishing boats and a Vietnam Coast Guard vessel were anchored south of Rurok Island.
Julian Felipe Reef and Pagkakaisa Banks showed continued large-scale Chinese militia activity, with 38 and 34 vessels documented in each location, respectively.
Unidentified ships were also spotted inside Panganiban Reef’s lagoon.
Tarriela emphasized that the surveillance flight was conducted in accordance with domestic laws and international regulations, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 arbitral award which invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
“These flights aim to monitor the marine environment, assess the status of fisheries resources, and ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Related Tags

PCG BFAR maritime domain awareness West Philippine Sea WPS China flare
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