Authorities reported that a Chinese ship pointed lasers against two civilian vessels under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the West Philippine Sea.
Videos shared to ABS-CBN News by BFAR showed the laser harassment that happened around 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, Monday last week, which supposedly lasted around five minutes.
No crew members were hurt in the incident, but some said the laser light caused eye pain, ABS-CBN News reported.
BRP Datu Matanam Taradapit and BRP Datu Tamblot were in Hasa-Hasa Shoal to provide fuel and food subsidy to fishermen there and were en route to Pag-asa Island for scientific research.
The BFAR criticized China on the latest incident of maritime aggression.
“These videos show the reality on the ground that Chinese vessels harass, and at times, attack Philippine vessels conducting regular maritime patrols within the Philippine exclusive economic zone—contrary to the statement of the Chinese Embassy in Manila that the Philippine vessels are the ones conducting the dangerous maneuvering against the Chinese vessels,” the BFAR said in a statement.
Chester Cabalza, president of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, described the incident as a provocation and a form of intimidation.
Cabalza, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said the latest laser-pointing incident could “technically” be considered an armed attack.
The official said that the incident can be construed as an armed attack, even if China would say that the laser is for navigation or for their protection.
The Philippines, he said, might be waiting for the right time to invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the US.
“There is a new administration coming in, the return of President-elect Trump. Let’s see if he will speak up about the MDT. That is what we are waiting for to see when the treaty can be invoked.”
Cabalza added that China’s continued harassment of Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea, which China considers its own waters, has led to support from other countries.