A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel directed a military-grade laser light at a vessel belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the PCG said in a statement on Monday.
Philippines’ Accusation
The PCG said that the incident occurred when BRP Malapascua, the targeted vessel that was “supporting a rotation and resupply mission” of the Philippine Navy (PN), reached a 10nm distance from Ayungin Shoal.
The CCG ship reportedly “illuminated” a green laser light twice toward the PCG vessel, which caused “temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge.” The PCG further accused the CCG of making “dangerous manoeuvres by approaching about 150 yards from the vessel’s starboard quarter.”
It further asserted that the incident caused its vessel to alter course from Ayungin Shoal and head toward Lawak Island to continue its patrol and support the BRP Teresa Magbanua.
The #Philippines Coast Guard purportedly show a #Chinese security vessel shining a military-grade laser light at a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed South #China Sea. pic.twitter.com/OgvOSjwUnw
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) February 13, 2023
It called China’s “deliberate blocking” of the government mission to deliver food and supplies to its military personnel on board a “blatant disregard for, and a clear violation” of the Philippines’ “sovereign rights” in this part of the West Philippine Sea.
“The PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country’s territorial integrity against foreign aggression. Despite the dangerous manoeuvre of the much larger CCG ships and their aggressive actions at sea, the PCG ships will always be in the West Philippine Sea to sustain our presence and assert our sovereign rights,” PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately comment on the matter.
Philippines Strengthening Defences
China’s territorial aggression has prompted littoral states to strengthen their defences.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday said he is open to the idea of a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan as long as the deal is “appropriate" and does not increase tensions” in the South China Sea.
— Presidential Communications Office (@pcogovph) February 12, 2023
Read: https://t.co/uS2SPNd68u pic.twitter.com/wG21F6QgYE
On Sunday, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that if a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan were to help his country protect its fishermen and maritime territory, he did not “see why [the Philippines] should not adopt [the VFA].”
During Marcos’ visit to Japan, he and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida signed a deal to allow their armed forces to work together during disaster relief.
In the future, it could also pave the way to allow the countries to deploy forces on each other’s territory.
“I always think about the need to protect our fishermen. We need to show clearly [that] we are patrolling our waters and making sure that our maritime territory is clearly recognised,” Marcos stressed.