(Manila) The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday accused its Chinese counterparts of aiming a “military-style laser” at one of its boats in the disputed South China Sea, temporarily blinding several crew members.
The incident took place on February 6 some 20 kilometers from Second Thomas Atoll in the Spratly Islands, where Filipino soldiers are stationed, Manila said in a statement.
A Chinese Coast Guard boat directed a “military-type” green laser twice at the Philippine ship, “resulting in the temporary blinding of its crew (present) on deck”, relates the same source.
The Chinese vessel also carried out “dangerous maneuvers” by approaching about 140 meters from the boat.
The Philippine patrol boat was on a “rotation and resupply mission” to soldiers occupying an abandoned navy ship that had been stranded on the sandbar to assert territorial claims in Manila.
“The deliberate blocking of Philippine government boats (which) bring food and equipment to our soldiers […] is a blatant disregard and a clear violation of the sovereign rights “of Manila” in this part of the Western Philippine Sea,” the Philippine Coast Guard said, referring to the waters to the west of the country.
It is unclear whether the resupply mission to the atoll could be completed. Private boats are usually employed for the transport of food and equipment and escorted by the coast guard.
Asked, the Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately comment.
This is the latest maritime incident between Beijing and Manila, in disagreement over this sea, a strategic space with rich energy and fishery resources.
Beijing claims almost all of it, but the Philippines as well as Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims. China has ignored an international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis.
In early February, Washington and Manila agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea and unveiled a deal allowing US troops access to four additional bases in the Philippines as the two allies seek to counter military buildup. from Beijing in the region.
In December 2022, Manila announced the upcoming establishment of direct communication between the foreign ministries of the Philippines and China to avoid “any miscalculation and miscommunication” in the South China Sea.