Ship used ‘laser’ on coast guard

Provocative move: A Chinese Coast Guard vessel shining a ‘military grade laser light’ at a Philippine Coast Guard boat near Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. — AFP

The Philippine Coast Guard accused a Chinese coastguard vessel of shining a “military-grade laser light” at one of its boats in the disputed South China Sea, temporarily blinding crew members.

The incident happened on Feb 6 nearly 20km from Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where Philippine marines are stationed, the coast guard said in a statement yesterday.