The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that, for the first time, China used a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to harass a Philippine ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to the PCG, China usually relies on water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to intimidate Philippine vessels. However, this time, China deployed the LRAD, a specialized loudspeaker that can emit high-intensity sounds capable of damaging eardrums or causing permanent hearing loss.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, specifically pointed out that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3103 used the LRAD to harass the Philippine ship BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and prevent it from approaching the area.
Tarriela explained that CCG-3103 replaced another Chinese vessel, CCG-3304, to illegally patrol within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Despite the harassment, the BRP Cabra did not back down and continued its mission to prevent incursions near Zambales’ coastline.
The PCG also issued repeated radio challenges to the Chinese vessel, emphasizing that their presence violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
