The United States (US) on Tuesday backed the Philippines after the Chinese coast guard (CCG) vessel reportedly directed a military-grade laser light to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship last February 6.
"The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People's Republic of China (PR) Coast Guard's reported use of laser device against the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard ship on February 6 in the South China Sea," the US Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement.
It said that the act committed by CCG was "provocative" and "unsafe" as this caused temporary blindness to the crew members of BRP Malapascua.
The US Embassy asserted that the Chinese crew "interferes" with the country's lawful operations in and around Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
It added that the act committed "directly threatens regional peace and stability" and "infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea."
"The United States reiterates, pursuant to the 1982 Law of Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and we call upon the PRC to abide by the ruling," the US Embassy underlined.
The US likewise expressed support for the country in upholding the international maritime order.
On Monday, National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez called CGG's act "offensive" and "unsafe."
