The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines has accused China of destabilizing peace and security in the so-called West Philippine Sea (the official name the Philippine government gives to the eastern parts of the South China Sea, which are included in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic). The occasion the incident was the use of a laser against the Philippine ship by the coast guard service of the People's Republic of China in the Ayungin shoal.
In 1999, Philippine authorities purposefully stationed the rusting USS Sierra Madre from World War II in a disputed reef zone in the South China Sea to monitor China's activities in the region. A small contingent of service members is always present on the ship. China has repeatedly demanded the ship's removal and threatened to tow it.
