Flares fired at Philippine aircraft over Spratly reefs

The Philippine Coast Guard announced on Thursday that Chinese forces fired multiple flares at an unarmed surveillance aircraft conducting routine operations over the Spratly Islands. The incident, which occurred on September 7, was described by Manila as a direct threat to flight safety. According to the PCG, the aircraft was conducting maritime domain awareness flights when it was challenged by radio operators at Subi Reef and Mischief Reef before the pyrotechnic devices were discharged in its direction.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stated that the agency does not need to characterize the specific behavior, emphasizing that the actions endangered the aircrew. The aircrew reportedly informed Chinese personnel that their presence on the reclaimed features violated international law and that the Philippine flight was a legitimate routine operation. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific incident.

Legal Basis for Maritime Claims

The dispute centers on the legal status of the reefs in question. Admiral Gavan cited the 2016 arbitral award, which identified Mischief Reef as a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He argued that China’s reclamation of the feature infringed upon Philippine sovereign rights. The PCG further noted that firing flares at an aircraft disregards duties of due regard under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, framing the incident as a violation of established international norms.

In addition to the reefs, the aircrew observed a significant number of Chinese maritime militia vessels sheltered inside the lagoons of both Subi and Mischief reefs. Despite the presence of these vessels, no personnel were seen on the boats or the reclaimed facilities, and no vehicle movement was monitored on the artificial islands. The PCG stated it would continue its monitoring flights to document what it described as aggressive behavior and violations of international law in the region.

Strategic Shifts in Deterrence Posture

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. addressed the broader context of the incident during the 2nd Manila Strategy Forum. He warned that the Philippines should not expect a change in Chinese behavior, citing Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea. Teodoro emphasized that Manila must instead change its reaction by boosting indigenous defense capabilities and deepening cooperation with like-minded countries. He cited the harassment of Philippine vessels and aircraft, as well as China’s plan to establish a marine observatory at Scarborough Shoal, as part of a pattern of unlawful aggression.

Expanding Defense Partnerships in Region

In a separate development, Secretary Teodoro expressed support for the Senate’s concurrence in the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. He argued that deeper military partnerships, including the potential for a similar pact with Germany, would strengthen Manila’s deterrence posture in the South China Sea. According to Teodoro, France’s advanced capabilities in defense, cyber, and intelligence, along with its support for the UN Charter and UNCLOS, offer significant benefits to the Philippines.

The Philippine government maintains that its position within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the 2016 arbitral award provide opportunities for the international community to push back against efforts to distort the rules-based international order. As the situation in the South China Sea remains fluid, attention will likely turn to how these new diplomatic and military agreements translate into on-the-ground deterrence measures in the coming months.