The Philippines Coast Guard has accused the Chinese military of aiming at one of their ships with a military-grade laser.
They said that this temporarily blinded some of the members who were on the ship. Fox News reports that this occurred in the South China Sea, an area often disputed between China and many other countries.
Fox reports that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel with bow number 5205 allegedly took aim at the Philippines vessel and fired a military-grade light beam at the crew that temporarily blinded some crew members.
A statement on the matter read:" The Chinese ship illuminated the green laser light twice toward the BRP Malapascua, causing temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge," and "The Chinese vessel also made dangerous maneuvers by approaching about 150 yards from the vessel's starboard quarter."
The BRP Malapascua ship altered its course from the Ayungin Shoal to another area occupied by Philippine forces.
The Philippines Coast Guard said the following in a statement: "The deliberate blocking of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to our military personnel on board the BRP Sierra Madre is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea."
This is not the first time there have recently been issues between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. Fox News reports that in 2022 alone, the Philippines lodged more than 200 protests related to activities by China in the South China Sea.
Fox reports that China claims virtually the entire area of the South China Sea, so it is unlikely that they will back down from any of the activities they engage in anytime soon. They are only more encouraged to do whatever they want in that area as of late.
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte had a closer relationship with Beijing than the current leadership. The current leadership is much more hostile toward China and its various actions in the South China Sea and beyond. Thus, as you might expect, Chinese leadership seems ready to continue pushing the envelope as far as possible to make an issue out of everything related to military activities in the South China Sea. This trend will likely continue long into the future.
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