Philippines urges China to halt any ‘provocative act’ after laser is aimed at vessel
CHINA should restrain its forces so that they do not commit any “provocative act”, the Philippine military said on Monday (Feb 13), after Manila accused China’s coast guard of using a laser to try to disrupt a supply mission to its troops in the South China Sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its vessel was assisting a navy mission to deliver food and supplies to troops stationed on an atoll in the disrupted waterway on Feb 6, when a Chinese coast guard ship directed a “military-grade laser” at it, temporarily blinding the crew at the bridge.
“I think it’s time for the Chinese government to restrain its forces so that they do not commit any provocative act that endanger the lives of people,” military spokesperson Medel Aguilar told reporters.
He also cited the Philippine defence chief as saying the Chinese coast guard’s action was “offensive” and “unsafe”.
The incident took place at the Second Thomas Shoal, located 105 nautical miles off the Philippine province of Palawan and known locally as Ayungin. It is the temporary home of a small military contingent aboard a rusty, World War II ship.
The 100 m-long vessel was intentionally grounded at the shoal in 1999 to reinforce Manila’s sovereignty claims in the Spratly archipelago.
“The deliberate blocking of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to our military personnel… is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights,” said the PCG in a statement.
It supplied images showing a Chinese vessel, which had the number 5205 on its bow, emitting a beam of green light.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comments. China has said it was ready to manage maritime issues “cordially” with the Philippines during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s visit to Beijing in January.
Meanwhile, its foreign ministry said the coast guard acted according to law.
Marcos’ office declined to comment, referring reporters to the PCG statement.
It is not the first time China has been accused of using lasers in the region. In February last year, Australia accused Beijing of an “act of intimidation” after a Chinese navy vessel directed a laser at an Australian military surveillance aircraft.
The reported bid to block the Philippine resupply mission came after Marcos expressed openness to forging a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan to boost maritime security.
He visited Japan last week to forge closer security ties with Tokyo, which in December announced its biggest military build-up since World War II, fuelled by concerns about aggressive Chinese actions in the region.
The Philippine president also recently granted the United States access to additional military bases in the country under a VFA, a move that China said undermined regional stability and raised tensions. The VFA provides rules for the rotation of thousands of US troops in and out of the Philippines for exercises. REUTERS
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
