Metro Manila, Philippines – Three Filipino fishermen were injured while two fishing boats incurred “significant damage” after Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The PCG said the aggression happened Friday, adding it received reports that around 20 Filipino fishing boats were “subjected to harassment” by China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia.
The PCG said the Chinese vessels conducted dangerous blocking maneuvers and the “deliberate” cutting of anchor lines of the fishing boats by a small CCG rigid hull inflatable boat.
On Friday, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said they took “necessary control measures” in accordance with their law and rules, as he stresses China’s “indisputable sovereignty” over Spratly Islands.
Sabina Shoal, which is called by the Philippines as Escoda Shoal while China as Xianbin Jiao, is located some 75 nautical miles from Palawan, which is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
“The China Coast Guard’s statement confirming the implementation of ‘necessary control measures’ against Filipino fishermen constitutes an acknowledgment of actions that endangered the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Filipinos exercising their rightful activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” the PCG said.
Manila’s coast guard also said some CCG ships repeatedly blocked and conducted dangerous maneuvers against PCG vessels, which were en route to rendezvous with affected fisherfolk on Saturday.
“Despite these unprofessional and unlawful interferences, the PCG successfully reached the fishermen this morning and provided immediate medical attention to the injured, along with essential supplies,” the PCG said.
“Currently, MRRV-4403 and MRRV-4411 (multi-role response vessels), in coordination with the vessel MV Pamalakaya, are maintaining close proximity to the group of Filipino fishermen to ensure their security and safety,”it said, adding fuel, ice, and food provisions have been distributed.
China continues to reject the 2016 arbitral award that denied Beijing’s sweeping claims in almost the whole South China Sea.
