Chinese coast guard accused of laser attack on Philippines ship crew

The Philippines has accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Filipino vessel with a military-grade laser and temporarily blinding some of its crew in the disputed South China Sea (Philippine Coast Guard/AP)

The Philippines has accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Filipino vessel with a military-grade laser and temporarily blinding some of its crew in the disputed South China Sea, calling it a “blatant” violation of Manila’s sovereign rights.

The Chinese ship also manoeuvred dangerously close – about 450ft (137m) – to block the Philippines patrol vessel BRP Malapascua from approaching Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that has been occupied by Philippine forces, on February 6, the Philippines coast guard said in a statement.