By Gabriela Baron
A Chinese ship reportedly used a “military-grade” laser on a Philippine vessel patrolling the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippines Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In a statement, the PCG said a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel directed a military-grade laser light at the PCG vessel BRP Malapascua while supporting a rotation and resupply mission of the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal.
“As the BRP Malapascua reached a 10 [nautical miles] (nm) distance from Ayungin Shoal, a CCG vessel was monitored approximately 4nm of the ship’s dead ahead maneuvering from the portside heading starboard side,” PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said.
“The Chinese ship illuminated the green laser twice toward the BRP Malapascua, causing temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge,” Balilo added.
He added that the Chinese vessel “also made dangerous maneuvers” by approaching about 150 yards from the vessel’s starboard quarter.
BRP Malapascua changed its course from Ayungin Shoal and instead headed toward Lawak Island to continue maritime patrolling.
PCG said the “deliberate blocking” of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to its military personnel on board the BRP Sierra Madre is “a blatant disregard for, and clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea.”
Meanwhile, the PCG vowed to remain steadfast in protecting the sovereignty and rights of the country in the West Philippine Sea.
“The PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country’s territorial integrity against foreign aggression,” PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu said.
He also assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the PCG is ready to support their resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal.
“Despite the dangerous maneuver of the much larger CCG ships and their aggressive actions at the sea, the PCG ships will always be in the West Philippine Sea to sustain our presence and assert our sovereign rights,” Abu added.
Last August, the CCG also prevented PCG ships from coming closer to the Ayungin Shoal to provide security to a Philippine Navy resupply mission.
