Published By: April Despi
Date Published: February 23, 2023
Time Published: 7:15 am
MANILA, Philippines - After using a "military-grade" laser on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), China received appeals to stop harassment in West Philippine Sea from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson, Ma. Teresita Daza, on an encounter that happened on February 6.
On a statement by PCG, the CCG ship with bow No. 5205 illuminated a green light twice toward the BRP Malapascua, a Philippine coast guard vessel, causing temporary blindness to the Filipino crew members on duty at past 6 p.m. as the ship reached 19.5 kilometers from the Ayungin Shoal (also known as "Second Thomas" Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
"We have no basis to doubt the report of our Philippine Coast Guard. But from the report, to harass, to shadow, to actually put in danger, not only the vessel, but the crew, and more important to actually target and point a military-grade laser–not just once, but twice–is actually is not restrained in all accounts," Daza declared in a public briefing of Laging Handa.
"We’re calling on China to cease and restrain from this action kasi hindi lang ho (because it is not only) damaging, it’s dangerous. It is also destabilizing in terms of peace and stability in the region," Daza further explained.
On the contrary, China accused the Philippines of intruding into its territory, claiming that the laser "does not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel" and it was not pointed directly to the crew, but used it to "measure the distance and speed of the Philippine vessel and signal directions to ensure navigation safety," while explaining that the CCG "acted in a professional and restrained way."
Without hesitation, the Philippines commenced a diplomatic protest in regards to the incident.
As Beijing's nine-dash line claim was trashed way back 2016, the Philippines claimed its victory against China before the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration after being fueled by hundreds of diplomatic protests from 2016 up until now.
SOURCE: INQUIRER.net
PHOTO: INQUIRER.net
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