MANILA: The Philippines on Monday accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Philippine coast guard vessel with a military-grade laser and temporarily blinding some of its crew in the disputed South China Sea, calling it a “blatant” violation of Manila’s sovereign rights.
The Chinese ship also manoeuvred dangerously close, about 137 metres, to block the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Malapascua from approaching Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that has been occupied by Philippine forces, on February 6, the Philippine coast guard said. A video issued by the coast guard in Manila shows a Chinese coast guard ship cutting across the path of a Philippine vessel. A green laser-like light is later emitted by the Chinese ship. Chinese foreign ministry official Wang Wenbin said a Philippine vessel trespassed into Chinese waters on February 6. China’s ships responded “professionally and with restraint,” he said, without mentioning the use of laser.
The Chinese ship also manoeuvred dangerously close, about 137 metres, to block the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Malapascua from approaching Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that has been occupied by Philippine forces, on February 6, the Philippine coast guard said. A video issued by the coast guard in Manila shows a Chinese coast guard ship cutting across the path of a Philippine vessel. A green laser-like light is later emitted by the Chinese ship. Chinese foreign ministry official Wang Wenbin said a Philippine vessel trespassed into Chinese waters on February 6. China’s ships responded “professionally and with restraint,” he said, without mentioning the use of laser.