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{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict = Second Thomas Shoal laser incident
| conflict = Second Thomas Shoal laser incident
|partof = [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|South China Sea disputes]]
| partof = [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|South China Sea disputes]]
|image =PCG Chinese Coast Guard laser incident February 6, 2022 - c.jpg
| image = PCG Chinese Coast Guard laser incident February 6, 2022 - c.jpg
| caption = CCG 5205 pointing a laser at BRP Malapascua
|caption =
|date = February 6, 2023
| date = February 6, 2023
|place = [[Second Thomas Shoal]], [[South China Sea]]
| place = [[Second Thomas Shoal]], [[South China Sea]]
|result =
| result =
|combatant1 = '''{{flag|Philippines}}'''
| combatant1 = '''{{flag|Philippines}}'''
|combatant2 = '''{{flag|China}}'''
| combatant2 = '''{{flag|China}}'''
|units1 = [[Philippine Coast Guard]]
| units1 = [[Philippine Coast Guard]]
*[[BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403)|BRP ''Malapascua'']]
*[[BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403)|BRP ''Malapascua'']]
|units2 = [[China Coast Guard]]
| units2 = [[China Coast Guard]]
*CCG 5205
|strength1 =
| strength1 =
|strength2 =
| strength2 =
|casualties1 =
| casualties1 =
|casualties2 =
| casualties2 =
|methods =
| methods =
}}
}}
On February 6, 2023, the [[China Coast Guard]] and [[Philippine Coast Guard]] had an encounter near the [[Second Thomas Shoal]], one of the features of the [[Spratly Islands]] which is subject to a wider [[South China Sea dispute|dispute]] in the [[South China Sea]].
<ref name="mdt">{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Helen |title=… but laser incident not enough to activate MDT |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/19/2246046/laser-incident-not-enough-activate-mdt |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=19 February 2023}}</ref>

⚫
<ref name=sunstar-mdt>{{cite news |last1=Peralta-Malonzo |first1=Third Anne |title=Marcos not inclined to invoke Mutual Defense Treaty following Ayungin incident |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953836/manila/local-news/marcos-not-inclined-to-invoke-mutual-defense-treaty-following-ayungin-incident |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=Sunstar |date=19 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
The Second Thomas Shoal is claimed by multiple countries, including [[China]] and the [[Philippines]]. The latter controls the feature by having grounded the [[BRP Sierra Madre|BRP ''Sierra Madre'']] on the shoal.
⚫
<ref name="lack-of-comm">{{cite news |title=Chinese envoy cites 'lack of communication' in Ayungin laser incident, pushes for stronger mechanisms |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/17/Huang-Xilian-lack-of-communication-mechanisms-Philippines-China-Ayungin-laser.html |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=CNN Philippines |date=17 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref name=dfa-tells>{{cite news |last1=Rocamora |first1=Joyce Ann |title=DFA tells China to engage PH based on facts after laser-use row |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195467 |access-date=19 February 2023 |agency=Philippine News Agency |date=17 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
The [[BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403)|BRP ''Malapascua'']] of the [[Philippine Coast Guard]] was heading towards the shoal for a rotation and resupply mission for the BRP ''Sierra Madre'' crew when CCG 5205 of the [[China Coast Guard]] blocked the Filipino coast guard ship to act what it views as an intrusion of the Philippine vessel and aimed a green laser light towards it. The Philippine side alleged the laser was "military grade" and caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness, which China denies. The incident led to the Philippines filing a diplomatic protest.
⚫
<ref name="task-force">{{cite news |last1=Baroña |first1=Franco Jose |title=Task force formulates new rules to address sea harassment |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/19/news/task-force-formulates-new-rules-to-address-sea-harassment/1879385 |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Manila Times |date=19 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

<ref>{{cite news |last1=Del Callar |first1=Michaela |title=Philippines rejects China claim that use of laser pointer not meant to harm PCG crew |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861028/philippines-rejects-china-claim-that-use-of-laser-pointer-not-meant-to-harm-pcg-crew/story/ |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=GMA News |date=16 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
==Incident==
[[File:BRP Malapascua commissioning.jpg|thumb|BRP ''Malapascua'']]
[[File:PCG Chinese Coast Guard laser incident February 6, 2022 - a.jpg|thumb|CCG 5205]]
According to the [[Philippine Coast Guard]] (PCG), the [[BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403)|BRP ''Malapascua'']] was aiding the [[Philippine Navy]] in conducting a rotation and resupply (RoRE) mission on February 6, 2023, when a ship from the [[China Coast Guard]] (CCG) with the with bow number 5205 deliberate blocked the coast guard ship from delivering food and supply to the crew of the grounded [[BRP Sierra Madre|BRP ''Sierra Madre'']] at the Philippines-controlled [[Second Thomas Shoal]].<ref name="aims">{{cite news |last1=Valmonte |first1=Kaycee |title=Chinese Coast Guard aims laser at PCG vessel on resupply mission |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/13/2244634/chinese-coast-guard-aims-laser-pcg-vessel-resupply-mission |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=13 February 2023}}</ref>

BRP ''Malapascua'' was {{convert|10|nmi}} away from Second Thomas Shoal when the CCG vessel was spotted {{convert|4|nmi}} ahead and was maneuvering from its left to block the PCG ship. The CCG ship beamed a green laser twice, which it claims to be of "military-grade", against the PCG ship caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness. The PCG also added that the Chinese ship came close as {{convert|150|yd|m}} to the right of BRP ''Malapascua''.<ref name="aims"/>

BRP ''Malapascua'' then headed towards [[Nanshan Island]] to resume its maritime patrol and RoRE mission to stations within the [[Spratlys]] along with [[BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701)|BRP ''Teresa Magbanua'']].<ref name="aims"/>

==Reactions==
===Philippines===
[[File:PBBM summons Huang Xilian.jpg|thumb|President [[Bongbong Marcos]] [[Diplomatic correspondence|summoned]] Chinese ambassador [[Huang Xilian]]]]
On February 14, 2023, President [[Bongbong Marcos]] [[Diplomatic correspondence|summoned]] Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines [[Huang Xilian]] over the incident to express concern over "the increasing frequency and intensity of actions" of China against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen. The [[Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] also filed a formal diplomatic protest.<ref name="summons">{{cite news |last1=Valente |first1=Catherine |last2=Tamayo |first2=Bernadette |last3=Baroña |first3=Franco Jose |title=Marcos summons Chinese envoy |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/15/news/national/marcos-summons-chinese-envoy/1878688 |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Manila Times |date=15 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
Responding to an inquiry by the media, Marcos said that while the incident is clearly an "act of aggression", it is not enough reason to invoke the [[Mutual Defense Treaty (United States–Philippines)|Mutual Defense Treaty]] with the United States.<ref name="mdt">{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Helen |title=… but laser incident not enough to activate MDT |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/19/2246046/laser-incident-not-enough-activate-mdt |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=19 February 2023}}</ref><ref name=sunstar-mdt>{{cite news |last1=Peralta-Malonzo |first1=Third Anne |title=Marcos not inclined to invoke Mutual Defense Treaty following Ayungin incident |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1953836/manila/local-news/marcos-not-inclined-to-invoke-mutual-defense-treaty-following-ayungin-incident |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=Sunstar |date=19 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
The National Task Force for the [[West Philippine Sea]] said it would formulate new rules and procedures on how to deal with another potential laser-pointing and other encounters which it considers as harassment from China in the South China Sea.<ref name="task-force">{{cite news |last1=Baroña |first1=Franco Jose |title=Task force formulates new rules to address sea harassment |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/20/news/new-pcg-rules-set-to-fight-harassment/1879385 |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=The Manila Times |date=19 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===China===
China maintains defended its actions in the Second Thomas Shoal. It said it was only acting upon what they view as an "intrusion" of the Philippines side to its territory and insist that it was professional and restrained in dealing the issue.<ref name=dfa-tells>{{cite news |last1=Rocamora |first1=Joyce Ann |title=DFA tells China to engage PH based on facts after laser-use row |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195467 |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=17 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=rejects>{{cite news |last1=Del Callar |first1=Michaela |title=Philippines rejects China claim that use of laser pointer not meant to harm PCG crew |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861028/philippines-rejects-china-claim-that-use-of-laser-pointer-not-meant-to-harm-pcg-crew/story/ |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=GMA News |date=16 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> It says that the Philippine Coast Guard's account of the incident did "not reflect the truth". It also added that the light used was from a hand-held laser speed detector and hand-held greenlight pointer used to "measure the distance and speed of the Philippine vessel and signal directions to ensure navigation safety" and does not inflict damage on anything or anyone.<ref>{{cite news |title=China says lasers for 'navigation safety', denies pointing at PH crew |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860985/china-says-lasers-for-navigation-safety-denies-pointing-at-philippine-crew/story/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=GMA News |agency=GMA Integrated News |date=16 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

The Philippines' [[Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] in response told China to engage the Philippines in "truth and goodwill" standing by the account of the Philippine Coast Guard on what happened saying that there is "lack of congruence" between China's statements and what it believes to be the "actual events in the seas".<ref name=dfa-tells/><ref name=rejects/>

⚫
Ambassador Huang on February 7, 2023, would cite the "lack of communication" between his country and the Philippines over the incident and pushed for stronger dialogue mechanisms between the two countries to avoid similar incidents in the future.<ref name="lack-of-comm">{{cite news |title=Chinese envoy cites 'lack of communication' in Ayungin laser incident, pushes for stronger mechanisms |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/17/Huang-Xilian-lack-of-communication-mechanisms-Philippines-China-Ayungin-laser.html |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=CNN Philippines |date=17 February 2023 |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219141027/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/17/Huang-Xilian-lack-of-communication-mechanisms-Philippines-China-Ayungin-laser.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Other countries===
The [[United States Department of State]] issued a statement in support of the Philippines following the Second Thomas Shoal incident calling China's use of laser as "provocative and unsafe".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Ned |title=U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea |url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-the-philippines-in-the-south-china-sea-3/ |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> Australia, Japan, and Germany likewise expressed concern over the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=Japan, Australia, Germany raise concerns over China's use of laser vs. Philippine ship |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860859/japan-australia-raise-concerns-over-china-s-use-of-laser-vs-philippine-ship/story/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=GMA News |date=15 February 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Atin Ito Christmas convoy]]
*[[August 2023 Second Thomas Shoal standoff]]
*[[Scarborough Shoal standoff]]
*[[Whitsun Reef incident]]
*[[June 2024 Second Thomas Shoal incident]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Bongbong Marcos}}

[[Category:2023 in the Philippines]]
[[Category:2023 in China]]
[[Category:Diplomatic incidents]]
[[Category:Spratly Islands]]
[[Category:Incidents in the South China Sea]]
[[Category:Presidency of Bongbong Marcos]]
[[Category:China–Philippines relations]]
[[Category:Laser safety and standards]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 19 August 2024

Second Thomas Shoal laser incident
Part of South China Sea disputes

CCG 5205 pointing a laser at BRP Malapascua
DateFebruary 6, 2023
Location
Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea
Belligerents
 Philippines  China
Units involved

Philippine Coast Guard

China Coast Guard

  • CCG 5205

On February 6, 2023, the China Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard had an encounter near the Second Thomas Shoal, one of the features of the Spratly Islands which is subject to a wider dispute in the South China Sea.

The Second Thomas Shoal is claimed by multiple countries, including China and the Philippines. The latter controls the feature by having grounded the BRP Sierra Madre on the shoal.

The BRP Malapascua of the Philippine Coast Guard was heading towards the shoal for a rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre crew when CCG 5205 of the China Coast Guard blocked the Filipino coast guard ship to act what it views as an intrusion of the Philippine vessel and aimed a green laser light towards it. The Philippine side alleged the laser was "military grade" and caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness, which China denies. The incident led to the Philippines filing a diplomatic protest.

Incident

[edit]
BRP Malapascua
CCG 5205

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the BRP Malapascua was aiding the Philippine Navy in conducting a rotation and resupply (RoRE) mission on February 6, 2023, when a ship from the China Coast Guard (CCG) with the with bow number 5205 deliberate blocked the coast guard ship from delivering food and supply to the crew of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the Philippines-controlled Second Thomas Shoal.[1]

BRP Malapascua was 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) away from Second Thomas Shoal when the CCG vessel was spotted 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) ahead and was maneuvering from its left to block the PCG ship. The CCG ship beamed a green laser twice, which it claims to be of "military-grade", against the PCG ship caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness. The PCG also added that the Chinese ship came close as 150 yards (140 m) to the right of BRP Malapascua.[1]

BRP Malapascua then headed towards Nanshan Island to resume its maritime patrol and RoRE mission to stations within the Spratlys along with BRP Teresa Magbanua.[1]

Reactions

[edit]

Philippines

[edit]
President Bongbong Marcos summoned Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian

On February 14, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the incident to express concern over "the increasing frequency and intensity of actions" of China against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen. The Department of Foreign Affairs also filed a formal diplomatic protest.[2]

Responding to an inquiry by the media, Marcos said that while the incident is clearly an "act of aggression", it is not enough reason to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.[3][4]

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said it would formulate new rules and procedures on how to deal with another potential laser-pointing and other encounters which it considers as harassment from China in the South China Sea.[5]

China

[edit]

China maintains defended its actions in the Second Thomas Shoal. It said it was only acting upon what they view as an "intrusion" of the Philippines side to its territory and insist that it was professional and restrained in dealing the issue.[6][7] It says that the Philippine Coast Guard's account of the incident did "not reflect the truth". It also added that the light used was from a hand-held laser speed detector and hand-held greenlight pointer used to "measure the distance and speed of the Philippine vessel and signal directions to ensure navigation safety" and does not inflict damage on anything or anyone.[8]

The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs in response told China to engage the Philippines in "truth and goodwill" standing by the account of the Philippine Coast Guard on what happened saying that there is "lack of congruence" between China's statements and what it believes to be the "actual events in the seas".[6][7]

Ambassador Huang on February 7, 2023, would cite the "lack of communication" between his country and the Philippines over the incident and pushed for stronger dialogue mechanisms between the two countries to avoid similar incidents in the future.[9]

Other countries

[edit]

The United States Department of State issued a statement in support of the Philippines following the Second Thomas Shoal incident calling China's use of laser as "provocative and unsafe".[10] Australia, Japan, and Germany likewise expressed concern over the incident.[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Valmonte, Kaycee (February 13, 2023). "Chinese Coast Guard aims laser at PCG vessel on resupply mission". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Valente, Catherine; Tamayo, Bernadette; Baroña, Franco Jose (February 15, 2023). "Marcos summons Chinese envoy". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Flores, Helen (February 19, 2023). "… but laser incident not enough to activate MDT". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Peralta-Malonzo, Third Anne (February 19, 2023). "Marcos not inclined to invoke Mutual Defense Treaty following Ayungin incident". Sunstar. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Baroña, Franco Jose (February 19, 2023). "Task force formulates new rules to address sea harassment". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Rocamora, Joyce Ann (February 17, 2023). "DFA tells China to engage PH based on facts after laser-use row". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Del Callar, Michaela (February 16, 2023). "Philippines rejects China claim that use of laser pointer not meant to harm PCG crew". GMA News. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "China says lasers for 'navigation safety', denies pointing at PH crew". GMA News. GMA Integrated News. February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Chinese envoy cites 'lack of communication' in Ayungin laser incident, pushes for stronger mechanisms". CNN Philippines. February 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Price, Ned. "U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea". United States Department of State. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Japan, Australia, Germany raise concerns over China's use of laser vs. Philippine ship". GMA News. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
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