Philippines-China relations

Philippines urges China to prevent any ‘provocative act’ after complaint over laser

Reuters

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Philippines urges China to prevent any ‘provocative act’ after complaint over laser

CHINESE SHIPS. A Chinese coast guard ship is seen at the Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles off the Palawan Province, Philippines, February 6, 2023, in this handout image.

Philippine Coast Guard

(1st UPDATE) Images supplied by the Philippine Coast Guard show a green light emanating from a Chinese vessel with bow number 5205

MANILA, Philippines – China should restrain its forces so that they do not commit any “provocative act,” the Philippine military said on Monday, February 13, after Manila accused China’s coast guard of using a laser to try to disrupt a resupply 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 disputed waterway on February 6 when a Chinese coast guard ship directed a “military-grade laser” at the ship temporarily blinding its crew at the bridge.

“I think it’s time for the Chinese government to restrain its forces so that it does not commit any provocative act that will endanger the lives of people,” military spokesperson Medel Aguilar told reporters.

Aguilar also quoted the Philippine defense chief as saying the action of the Chinese coast guard was “offensive” and unsafe.”

The incident took place at the Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles (195 km) off the Philippine province of Palawan, which is the temporary home of a small contingent of military aboard a rusty ship.

The 100-meter long (330-ft) World War Two ship was intentionally grounded at the shoal, known locally as Ayungin, in 1999 to reinforce Manila’s sovereignty claims in the Spratly archipelago.

China aims laser at Philippine Coast Guard ship in West PH Sea

China aims laser at Philippine Coast Guard ship in West PH Sea

“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,” the PCG said in a statement.

China’s foreign ministry said in response that its coast guard conducted actions according to the law.

“We urge the Philippines to avoid such actions, and the actions of China’s staff are professional and restrained,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, told a regular briefing.

Green light

The PCG did not elaborate on what a “military grade laser” was but images it supplied showed green light emanating from a Chinese vessel with bow number 5205.

The office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declined to comment, referring reporters to the PCG statement.

Marcos visited Beijing last month when China said it was ready to manage maritime issues “cordially”

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 comes as Marcos has expressed openness to forging a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan to boost maritime security.

Marcos visited Japan last week to strengthen security ties.

Close US ally Japan in December announced its biggest military-build up since World War Two, fuelled by concern about aggressive Chinese action in the region.

The Philippine president also recently granted former colonial power the United States access to more military bases under a VFA, which China said undermined regional stability and raised tensions.

The agreement with the United States provides rules for the rotation of thousands of US troops in and out of the Philippines for exercises.

Philippine coast guard boosts presence in South China Sea

Philippine coast guard boosts presence in South China Sea

– Rappler.com

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