The Philippine side alleged the laser was "military grade" and caused its crew to suffer from temporary blindness, which China denies.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the BRP Malapascua was aiding the Philippine Navy in conducting a rotation and resupply (RoRE) mission on February 6, 2023, when a ship from the China Coast Guard (CCG) with the with bow number 5205 deliberate blocked the coast guard ship from delivering food and supply to the crew of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the Philippines-controlled Second Thomas Shoal.

[1] On February 14, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the incident to express concern over "the increasing frequency and intensity of actions" of China against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen.

[2] Responding to an inquiry by the media, Marcos said that while the incident is clearly an "act of aggression", it is not enough reason to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.

It said it was only acting upon what they view as an "intrusion" of the Philippines side to its territory and insist that it was professional and restrained in dealing the issue.