NEW TACTIC | China Coast Guard Vessel No. 5205 is shown directing a laser beam at BRP Malapascua where this photo was taken on Feb. 6, 2023. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)
MANILA, Philippines — China’s harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel using a “military-grade” laser is “provocative and unsafe,” the United States (US) said on Tuesday (Manila time).
The PCG reported that a Chinese Coast Guard ship directed a “military-grade” laser at one of its vessels as it was supporting a Philippine Navy rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, also called Second Thomas Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea on February 6.
The laser caused temporary blindness to the PCG crew members.
“The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) conduct was provocative and unsafe, resulting in the temporary blindness of the crewmembers of the BRP Malapascua and interfering with the Philippines’ lawful operations in and around Second Thomas Shoal,” US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
“More broadly, the PRC’s dangerous operational behavior directly threatens regional peace and stability, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order,” he added.
Citing the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling, Price said that China has “no lawful maritime claims” to Ayungin Shoal.
The ruling invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea and said that the Philippines has sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The US called on China to abide by the ruling and the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention.
The western country also said that it stands with its ally, the Philippines.
“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Price said.
China, meanwhile, claimed that the Philippines intruded into their territory, the Ren’ai Reef. Hence, illuminating the laser against the PCG vessel.
From 2016 to January 26 this year, the Philippines lodged 461 diplomatic protests against China’s intrusion and harassment in the West Philippine Sea.