Prof. Jay Batongbacal advised the Philippine government to meet with allied countries following the laser-pointing incident involving the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.
Batongbacal, a maritime law expert, said on Sunday, February 19, that the Philippines and its allies, including the United States, should discuss the 'appropriate response' in case a similar incident will happen.
"Kung mangyayari ulit iyan na may gagamitan ulit ng laser yung Philippine Coast Guard o Philippine Navy, ang dapat handa na tayo ay ano yung appropriate and proportional response," Batongbacal told DZRH.
"Kailangan pag-usapan iyan kung ano yung mga calibrated responses nung mga tropa natin kapag bumalik sila diyan sa West Philippine Sea at na-encounter na naman nila yung Chinese Coast Guard," he stressed.
Batongbacal added that the Philippines should also inform China of the possible repercussions of another laser-pointing incident between the coast guards of the two countries.
"Ipapahiwatig natin kung ano yung sagot natin kung uulitin nila para alam nila kung ano ang at stake at hopefully din matigil sila sa paggamit na ganyan mga action," Batongbacal said.
The Philippine Coast Guard accused its Chinese counterpart of directing a 'military-grade laser' to a Filipino vessel BRP Malapascua, near Ayungin Shoal last February 6, which temporarily blinded the crew on board.
The incident prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to summon the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to file another diplomatic protest against China.
China has denied using a 'military grade laser', a statement which Batongbacal refutes.
"Kung mapapansin natin yung laser involved sa incident na ito ay mukhang hindi ordinaryong pointer, laser pointer na ginagamit sa classroom kasi napakalayo ng kanyang abot," Batongbacal said.
"Paranga deliberate, sinadya na, una, ma-target yung mga tao sa bridge, at pangalawa para mabulag sila ng panandalian para hindi matuloy sa kanilang paglalayag," he added.
