The Department of Foreign Affairs does not believe China’s explanation that their coast guard used the laser aimed at the Philippine coast guard ship, which was on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, for “navigation safety.”
“As far as the DFA is concerned, we have no reason to doubt the Philippine Coast Guard’s account of the incident,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tess Daza told reporters this Thursday.
This Tuesday, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China after the PCG reported that the Chinese coast guard targeted a “military-grade” laser light last Feb. 6 is their one ship.
Some of the BRP Malapascua crew reportedly experienced temporary blindness.
The Philippines also condemned the “shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers and illegal radio challenges” by Chinese vessels.
China denied the allegation and said that its ship’s laser was only used to measure the distance to other vessels.
“During that process, the China Coast Guard ship used hand-held laser speed detector and hand-held greenlight pointer to measure the distance and speed of the Philippine vessel and signal directions to ensure navigation safety,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in the regular press conference this Wednesday.
DFA rejects China’s explanation on laser attack
“We need to highlight the fact that the China Coast Guard ship did not direct lasers at the Philippine crew, and the hand-held equipment does not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel,” he further explained.
China also asserted that the Ayungin shoal, or Ren’ai Reef, part of their Nansha Islands, which the Philippines calls the Spratly Islands, is their territory.
The United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom supported the Philippines against China’s challenging moves in the contested territory.
“Australia shares concerns about unsafe and intimidating actions directed against the Philippines. We continue to call for peace, stability and respect for international law in the South China Sea, a vital international waterway,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazukuko also issued a similar statement.
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