Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD/MANILA: After a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly hit a Philippine patrol vessel with a military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of its crew, the United States (US) renewed a warning that it would defend its treaty ally if Filipino forces come under attack in the disputed South China Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila on Tuesday sent a strongly worded diplomatic protest to the Chinese Embassy that “condemned the shadowing, dangerous maneuvers, harassment, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by the Chinese ship.
The incident occurred on February 6, when the Chinese coast guard ship beamed high-grade lasers to block the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Malapascua from moving towards Second Thomas Shoal on a resupply mission to Filipino forces there, according to Philippine officials.
China claims the South China Sea virtually, putting it on a collision course with other claimants.
Previously, Chinese naval forces have been accused of using military-grade lasers against Australian military jets on patrol in the South China Sea and other points in the Pacific.
Despite friendly overtures to China by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who met Chinese President Xi Jinping in January in China’s capital, tensions have persisted, drawing in a closer military alliance between the Philippines and the US.
US accuses China of threatening regional peace
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that a Philippine coast guard vessel entered Chinese waters without permission.
Chinese coast guard vessels responded with restraint and professionally at the site under China’s law and international law,” he said.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said dangerous operational behavior of China directly threatens regional peace and stability, infringes upon the independence of navigation in the South China Sea as protected under international law, and violates the rules-based international order.”
“The US stands with our Philippine allies,” Price said.
He said an armed attack on the Philippine military, aircraft, or public vessels, including those of the coast guard in the South China Sea, would invoke the United States’ mutual defense commitments under a 1951 treaty.
