MISSILE DEMO The Patriot, a mobile surface-to-air missile system, is launched during a live missile demonstration in the 鈥淏alikatan鈥� military drills held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, a Zambales town facing the West Philippine Sea. INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday said it is currently coordinating with concerned authorities to investigate the aircraft that entered a no-fly zone during the 鈥淏alikatan鈥� (shoulder-to-shoulder) joint military exercises in Zambales province.
鈥淐AAP is closely coordinating with the Balikatan management regarding the reported interruption of the Balikatan 2023 exercise in Zambales by a civilian aircraft flying within the no-fly zone,鈥� it said in a statement.
鈥淭he reported incident is currently under investigation, and the Balikatan management together with the CAAP are working together to identify and determine details about the concerned aircraft,鈥� it added.
READ: A surprise 鈥榞uest鈥� buzzed over Zambales during Balikatan drill鈥� official
CAAP issued seven NOTAMs to declare the area a no-fly zone. CAAP ensures pilots and aircraft operators are briefed before flight plans are accepted, especially regarding no-fly zones. Balikatan 2021 is the largest so far, with 17,600 troops from the United States and the Philippines joining from April 21 to 28.
Among the drills was the , which will serve as a mock enemy ship, in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea off the town of San Antonio in Zambales province.
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