A Chinese Navy missile boat directed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting maritime surveillance over the West Philippine Sea on September 28.

This incident, part of an ongoing intimidation campaign amid rising tensions, involved the BFAR aircraft being targeted three times, causing discomfort to the pilots.

The BFAR aircraft had spotted Chinese vessels pursuing Filipino boats near Hasa-Hasa Shoal when the laser was fired.

The Philippines’ National Maritime Council condemned the actions as a “gross violation of international laws,” including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Eurasia Times has reported.

This incident is part of a troubling trend, with recent reports of Chinese lasers targeting Filipino aircraft and raising concerns of escalating tensions in the region.

Written by B.C. Begley