The Philippine Navy sent a new Beechcraft King C90 aircraft on a Maritime Air Patrol surveillance flight over Panatag island in the South China Sea west of Zambales last Wednesday. It flew about 800 feet above sea level and saw four Filipino fishing boats and nine Chinese vessels around the island. The Philippine pilots reported they heard no challenge from the Chinese Coast Guard. Previous American flights and vessels passing close to some islands in the South China Sea have been ordered off by the Chinese who claim sovereignty over most of the sea.

Panatag island in the news. (2018, February 5). Manila Bulletin, p. 10