China Coast Guard Vessel No. 5205 is shown directing a laser beam at BRP Malapascua in the West Philippine Sea in this photo taken on February 6, 2023. (PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD)
MANILA, Philippines – The crew members of BRP Malapascua who were affected by the military-grade laser of the China Coast Guard (CCG) ship are being monitored for potential long-term adverse effects, the Philippine Coast Guard revealed on Tuesday.
PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said crew members of the Philippine vessel were given immediate medical attention by medics on board after temporary vision impairment for 10 to 15 seconds.
“Sa kasalukuyan po sila naman ay sinasabing naibalik na uli iyong maayos nilang sight – iyong vision nila, at ang naging effect noong laser nga sa kanila is iyong temporary blindness lang which only lasted between 10 to 15 seconds,” he said in a public briefing.
(Currently, they are said to have regained their normal sight – their vision, and the effect that the laser had on them was temporary blindness which only lasted between 10 to 15 seconds)
“Ang atin pong komandante ay mine-make-sure na magkakaroon ng medical attention kung sakaling magkakaroon ng lasting effect itong laser na ito sa mga mata ng ating Coast Guard sailors,” he added.
(Our commander wants to make sure that they are given due medical attention should they encounter long -term adverse effects.)
The PCG earlier claimed that the Chinese coast guard ship aimed a military-grade laser beam at the BRP Malapascua.
The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest on Tuesday before the Chinese Embassy in Manila for “shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by the CCG.
READ: China harasses Philippine Coast Guard vessel with laser
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued late Monday, claimed that the Philippine vessel intruded into the maritime territory of China, hence the laser attack.
READ: PH intruded into Chinese waters, Beijing claims
The United States, meanwhile, on Monday expressed its support to the Philippines, dubbing the Chinese attack as “unsafe and provocative.”
READ: US backs Philippines in laser dispute with China
“This is already the second time. The first time that we experienced laser-pointing from the Chinese coast guard was in June last year,” Tariella added.
Other than the laser pointing incident, PCG also shared an observation on the Chinese maritime militia swarming in hundreds and using a particular maritime feature in the West Philippine Sea. (Niña Cuasay, INQUIRER.net trainee)