CAAP to investigate surprise ‘guest’ at no-fly zone during ‘Balikatan’ in Zambales

MISSILE DEMO The Patriot, a mobile surface-to-air missile system, is launched during a live missile demonstration in the “Balikatan” 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 — 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 “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) joint military exercises in Zambales province.

“CAAP 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,” it said in a statement.

“The 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,” it added.

READ: A surprise ‘guest’ buzzed over Zambales during Balikatan drill— 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 sinking of a 200-foot decommissioned vessel, 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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