Manila, Dec. 8 -- The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese vessels launched three flares at its patrol aircraft engaged in a routine flight over the disputed South China Sea on December 6, marking the latest instance of aggressive Chinese actions intended to reinforce its territorial claims in the area, according to The Epoch Times (TET).

Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard regarding the South China Sea, mentioned in a post on X that the Philippine aircraft departed from a local airstrip on the morning of December 6 for a flight focused on maritime domain awareness over the Kalayaan Island Group situated in the Spratly Islands.

Tarriela stated that the mission was part of the country's mandate to monitor ma...