Another incident of Chinese aggression against a Filipino vessel was reported in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sunday.
According to a government source, an unidentified Chinese vessel “pointed a high-intensity laser” at the BRP Datu Tamblot (MMOV 3005), operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The incident happened east of Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal in the WPS while the BFAR vessel was en route to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on 2 December, the source told this writer.
In all, the Chinese vessels pointed the laser at the BFAR ship six times, with an interval of five minutes from 8:15 p.m. to 8:50 p.m., as it approached Hasa-Hasa Shoal from the east.
The BRP Datu Tamblot was conducting a regular maritime patrol with the BRP Matanam Taradapit in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS when the incident happened.
“The high-intensity laser was described as red, though it appeared violet in photos, and painful to the eyes,” the source said, citing footage of the incident, which was captured using night vision equipment from the BFAR vessel.
Last week, the government reported Chinese intimidation against BFAR’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), which was conducting a joint routine maritime patrol with the Philippine Coast Guard in Bajo de Masinloc on 4 December.
The China Coast Guard 3302 vessel reportedly sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya’s starboard side, followed by two water cannon attacks.
Hasa-Hasa Shoal is located approximately 60 nautical miles from Rizal and is well within the Philippine EEZ.
The territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea centers on overlapping claims to maritime features and exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
China asserts sovereignty over most of the sea through its “nine-dash line,” conflicting with the Philippines’ claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China’s expansive claims.
Despite this, China continues to assert control by building artificial islands and deploying military assets, often leading to confrontations with Filipino vessels.
The dispute in the South China Sea, which overlaps the WPS, significantly impacts regional security and resource access.