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WEKU
The Associated Press

The Philippines accuses a Chinese ship of aiming a laser at a Filipino boat crew

This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Monday accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Philippine coast guard 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 maneuvered dangerously close, about 137 meters (449 feet), to block the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Malapascua from approaching Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that has been occupied by Philippine forces, on Feb. 6, the Philippine coast guard said in a statement.

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