Philippines, US urge China to stop provocative flares near Subi Reef

On Saturday, August 24, the Philippines and the United States reiterated their call for China to desist from provocative actions that endanger Philippine vessels and aircraft after flares were deployed near Subi (Zamora) Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese military aircraft shot flares at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane conducting routine patrols near Bajo de Masinloc on Monday, August 19, and again from Zamora Reef on Thursday, August 22, during another patrol.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea confirmed that China launched flares from its militarized reclaimed island in Zamora Reef while the BFAR Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was conducting a maritime domain awareness flight over the country's exclusive economic zone and territorial seas on August 22.

Additionally, Chinese Coast Guard vessels caused structural damage to two Philippine Coast Guard ships near Escoda Shoal earlier in the week.

The Philippines emphasized its commitment to exercising maritime rights within its sovereign territory and EEZ as per international laws and the 2016 Arbitral Award, while condemning China's 'professional, restrained, and standardized' countermeasures as irresponsible and dangerous.

Allies including the US have rallied behind the Philippines, with the US reaffirming its Mutual Defense Treaty following recent incidents.