As part of the rotation and resupply mission of the Philippine Coast Guard for the troops on board at BRP Sierra Madre a Chinese coast Guard vessel with bow number 5205 directed a military grade laser light to BRP Malapascua twice on February 6, 2023 while near the Ayungin Shoal according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The RORE mission deliberate blocking was considered a blatant disregard of Philippine sovereignty in the part of the West Philippine Sea. The use of military grade laser light temporarily blinded the crew of BRP Malapascua on the bridge. CCG action is to deter the resupply mission after CCG 5205 made dangerous maneuvers by approaching about 150 yards from BRP Malapascua starboard quarter.
As BRP MALAPASCUA reached a 10nm distance from Ayungin Shoal, the CCG vessel was monitored approximately 4nm of the ship’s dead ahead maneuvering from the portside heading starboard side.
In August of last year Chinese Coast Guard supported by the Chinese Maritime Militia who took orders from CCG prevented PCG ships from delivering food and supplies for troops on board BRP Sierra Madre. Coming closer to Ayungin Shoal while providing security to a PN resupply mission that incident the same CCG vessel and the CMM formed a 13NM-radius blockade against BRP Teresa Magbanua from entering Ayungin Shoal for its resupply mission.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said that PCG will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country’s territorial integrity against foreign aggression. The AFP can always rely on the PCG to support their resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal. Despite the dangerous maneuver of the much larger CCG ships and their aggressive actions at sea, the PCG ships will always be in the West Philippine Sea to sustain our presence and assert our sovereign rights.”
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