Philippines: China Ship Hits Filipino Crew With Laser Light

Philippines accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Philippine coast guard vessel with a military-grade laser and temporarily blinding some of its crew in the disputed South China Sea. 

Philippine statement said, Chinese ship directed a green laser light twice toward the Malapascua causing temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge. The country called it a blatant violation of Manila’s sovereign rights. 

A Philippine coast guard spokesman said, that the Chinese coast guard had tried to block Philippine coast guard ships in the disputed waters before. But this was the first time it used lasers and caused physical suffering among personnel. 

But Beijing defended its coast guard’s operation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Henbin affirmed the country’s claim over Ren’ai reef, saying the Philippine vessels trespassed into the waters of Ren'ai reef without the permission of the chinese side.