China has denied that its coast guard pointed lasers on the crew of the BRP Malapascua whereas the latter was on a resupply mission on February 6 in waters off the Ayungin Shoal.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at his common press convention on Wednesday mentioned the Philippines’ allegations did “not reflect the truth.”
Wang reiterated his earlier remarks that the Philippine Coast Guard vessel “intruded” into the waters and that the Chinese coast guard “was compelled to respond in accordance with law and warned the vessel to leave the area.”
“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,” Wang mentioned.
“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 added.
“The Philippine side’s allegation does not reflect the truth,” Wang mentioned.
The PCG has mentioned that the sunshine triggered “temporary blindness” to the BRP Malapascua’s crew on the bridge.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday referred to as on the Chinese authorities to manage its forces after the laser-pointing incident.
“The Secretary of National Defense has already declared or said that the act committed by the Coast Guard of China is offensive and unsafe,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar advised reporters.
Aguilar mentioned this was the primary time that the CCG directed a laser mild at a PCG ship.
The Philippines on Tuesday protested China’s use of military-grade lasers, and harmful maneuvers, towards the BRP Malapascua which was on a resupply mission for Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal.
In a protest lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila referred to as out China’s Coast Guard for its “newest aggressive actions”, heightening tensions anew between the two Asian neighbors locked in yearslong territorial disputes in the resource-rich waters.
“The diplomatic protest, released to the Chinese Embassy in Manila on 14 February 2023, condemned the shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges by CCG vessel 5205 against PCG vessel BRP Malapascua on 6 February 2023,” a DFA statement said.
Wang on Wednesday said the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines “has clarified the info with Philippine leaders.”
“The diplomatic service and coast guards on each side are in communication by bilateral liaison mechanisms. The Philippine facet has realized what really occurred,” Wang said.
“We stand able to work with the Philippine facet to completely ship on the essential frequent understandings reached between the 2 presidents, proceed to correctly deal with maritime points by pleasant session and collectively uphold peace and stability within the South China Sea,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
