The Philippines accused China of using a military laser against one of its ships in the South Sea

Philippine Coast Guard accused a Chinese coastal patrol climb their bullying methods use for the first time blinding laser“probably for military use”, against one of his ships in the Sea of southern chinatheater of territorial disputes between China and the countries of the zone.

“A green laser (directed from a Chinese ship) blinded the crew of our ship for about ten seconds. This is the first time that Chinese ships have used this method” against the Philippine Coast Guard, he told the Philippine Coast Guard on Monday. EFE Armand Balilo, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Balilo added that, based on preliminary reviews, “we believe the laser is likely for military use.”

This new incident occurred on February 6 in the waters of the South China Sea, around the atoll of Ayungin -which the Philippines occupies-, and less than 200 miles (about 322 kilometers) from the coast. west of palawanin the southwest of the archipelago and in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

This distance, 200 nautical miles, is the limit established by the UN to determine the maritime sovereignty of Statesaccording to a convention to which China acceded in 1996.

In a previously released statement, the Philippine Coast Guard accused a Chinese Coast Guard vessel of “twice using the laser against the vessel Malapascua” and performing “dangerous maneuvers while approaching within 150 yards (137 yards)” from the Philippine ship.

The complaint comes at a delicate time, a week after the Philippines and the United States signed an agreement which guarantees the North American country access for its troops to four new military bases in “strategic” areas of the Philippines.

According to experts, the United States’ access to these bases, the location of which has not yet been revealed – with an eye on locations in the north and south of the country, including Palawan -, would help contain Chinese movements in Taiwanautonomous island which Beijing does not rule out invadingand in the South China Sea.

Precisely in Palawan, the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harrisvisited the Philippine Coast Guard last November, where he gave a speech stating that His country will “defend the Philippines” against Chinese “intimidation” in disputed waters between Manila and Beijing.

China and the Philippines are vying for sovereignty over several islands and atolls in the South China Sea, claimed almost entirely by Beijing for “historical reasons”. Territories are also disputed with Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.

Meanwhile, the United States is seeking to thwart Beijing’s moves in key global trade and natural resource-rich waters, amid the two countries’ struggle to increase influence in the Pacific.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. said in mid-January that the protracted conflicts in the South China Sea which involve China, Filipinos and other coastal states kept it “up at night” and warned that any major confrontation in Asia, similar to the war in Ukraine, would be disastrous for the world.

(With information from EFE)

Continue reading: