NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Laser Weapons Used by Chinese Coast Guard in West Philippine Sea
Photo credit: PCG
The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) has issued a statement regarding the recent incident involving a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel using a military-grade laser on a PCG ship in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
On February 6, 2023, a CCG vessel with the bow number 5205 targeted the PCG vessel BRP MALAPASCUA (MRRV-4403) with a green laser light while the ship was on a rotation and resupply mission in the area.
According to the statement, the Chinese vessel illuminated the laser light towards the BRP MALAPASCUA twice, causing temporary blindness to the crew on the bridge. The Chinese ship also made dangerous maneuvers by approaching within 150 yards of the PCG vessel's starboard quarter. In response to the incident, the BRP MALAPASCUA altered her course and headed towards Lawak Island to continue her maritime patrol.
The PCG has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of violating Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and blocking Philippine government ships from delivering food and supplies to military personnel stationed at the BRP SIERRA MADRE. The statement also mentioned a similar incident in August of the same year when the Chinese prevented PCG ships from coming closer to the Ayungin Shoal during a security mission.
In the most recent incident, it was evident that the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels were taking orders from China to prevent Philippine ships from entering the shoal. China’s Coast Guard and Chinese Militas even formed a 13 Nautical Mile-radius blockade around the grounded Philippine Navy vessel to prevent the Philippine government ships from reaching the troops.
Commandant Admiral Artemio M Abu said that the PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country's territorial integrity against foreign aggression and will always be present in the West Philippine Sea to assert the sovereign rights of the Philippines.
On February 6, 2023, a CCG vessel with the bow number 5205 targeted the PCG vessel BRP MALAPASCUA (MRRV-4403) with a green laser light while the ship was on a rotation and resupply mission in the area.
According to the statement, the Chinese vessel illuminated the laser light towards the BRP MALAPASCUA twice, causing temporary blindness to the crew on the bridge. The Chinese ship also made dangerous maneuvers by approaching within 150 yards of the PCG vessel's starboard quarter. In response to the incident, the BRP MALAPASCUA altered her course and headed towards Lawak Island to continue her maritime patrol.
The PCG has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of violating Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and blocking Philippine government ships from delivering food and supplies to military personnel stationed at the BRP SIERRA MADRE. The statement also mentioned a similar incident in August of the same year when the Chinese prevented PCG ships from coming closer to the Ayungin Shoal during a security mission.
In the most recent incident, it was evident that the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels were taking orders from China to prevent Philippine ships from entering the shoal. China’s Coast Guard and Chinese Militas even formed a 13 Nautical Mile-radius blockade around the grounded Philippine Navy vessel to prevent the Philippine government ships from reaching the troops.
Commandant Admiral Artemio M Abu said that the PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country's territorial integrity against foreign aggression and will always be present in the West Philippine Sea to assert the sovereign rights of the Philippines.
Feb 13, 2023
