The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) slammed the replies of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin about the February 6 laser-pointing incident in Ayungin Shoal.
“Sasabihin nila na nagsisinungaling tayo. Hindi naman natin naging trabaho na gumawa [ng istorya],” PCG spokesperson for West Philippines Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in an interview with dzBB.
The PCG spokeperson said that the Chinese official started his statement with China’s supposed “indisputable sovereignty” over the Ren’ai Reef (Ayungin Shoal), making the statement hard to believe.
“Sa ganyang panimulang statement niya pa lang, how can we even be convinced na paniwalaan siya? Alam nga natin na dagat na parte ng exclusive economic zone natin ito at kanilang kini-claim,” he said
Wang said via a press conference that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship only used a “hand-held laser” to determine the distance and speed of the Philippine ship.
The Chinese official also debunked that the CCG vessel directed lasers at the Philippine crew.
Tarriela, on the other hand, rebutted that it was a military-grade laser, noting that if it was just a regular laser, it should be available in any market.
“Kung ang sinasabi nilang laser na ‘to ay hindi nakakapinsala at ginamit lang nila pang-check ng speed ng barko, meron naman silang radar, bakit kailangan pa nilang gumamit ng ganitong ka-powerful na laser in terms of its intensity?”
“Kung sasabihin din nilang hindi ito military-grade, nailabas naman natin ang videos at photos, nakita natin sa video natiin na tumatama diretso sa bridge ng barko,” he added.
— Ronald Espartinez