The Philippine Coast Guard has accused a Chinese Coast Guard ship of using a “military-grade laser” on one of its boats in the disputed South China Sea, which temporarily blinded its crew.
The incident took place on Feb. 6 about 20 kilometers from the Ayungin sandbar in the Spratly Islands, militarily occupied by the Philippines, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
This was the latest in a series of maritime incidents between the Philippines and China, which claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, despite an international court ruling that Beijing’s position has no legal basis.
The Philippine patrol boat was supporting a “resupply mission” for troops living on a Navy ship on the sandbar to support Manila’s territorial claim.
The Chinese Coast Guard ship twice fired a “military-type” green laser at the Philippine vessel, “causing temporary blindness to the crew on the bridge,” according to the statement.
The note also states that the Chinese boat performed “dangerous maneuvers” with an approach of 140 meters from the Philippine vessel.
“The deliberate blockade of Philippine government ships delivering food and supplies to our military … is a flagrant disrespect and a clear violation of the sovereign rights of the Philippines in this region,” added the Philippine Coast Guard.
The incident occurred a few days after the announcement that the United States and the Philippines decided to resume joint patrols at sea and reached an agreement that gives access to American forces to four other military bases in the Asian country.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the Philippine boat was in Chinese waters without authorization.
The diplomat said the Chinese sailors acted in a “professional and measured” manner.