Marcos, Chinese envoy discuss sea rift after laser beam attack

by daniza Fernandez Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met to strategize on Tuesday, February 14 on how best to settle the maritime disputes between the two nations.

The high-level meeting between the two officials was held as a response to an incident in which a China Coast Guard ship fired a laser beam at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, causing temporary vision impairment to some of the PCG crew.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement saying, “Both parties discussed how to actualize the consensus formed by the two heads of state, increase dialogue and communication, and thoughtfully manage maritime differences between China and the Philippines.”

Marcos summoned Huang to air his “serious u PAGE 2