The Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday that three Filipino fishermen were injured after Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannons and aggressive blocking tactics against Philippine fishing boats near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
According to the coast guard, at least 20 Philippine fishing boats were targeted Friday afternoon off Sabina Shoal. Two boats were damaged, while three fishermen sustained injuries during what officials described as a dangerous and unlawful assault. Chinese coast guard personnel operating smaller rubber boats also allegedly cut the anchor lines of several Philippine vessels, exposing them to strong currents and rough seas.
Two Philippine coast guard ships were dispatched to assist the fishermen but encountered hazardous maneuvers from Chinese vessels. One Chinese ship reportedly came within about 35 yards of a Philippine coast guard vessel during nighttime operations, spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said during an online briefing.
“The Chinese coast guard is now targeting ordinary fishermen and endangering civilian lives,” Tarriela said, condemning the actions.
Despite the confrontations, the Philippine Coast Guard said it was able to reach the affected fishermen early Saturday, provide medical assistance to the injured and deliver essential supplies, indicating that tensions later subsided.
China has not immediately responded to the latest incident. Beijing has consistently asserted its claims over much of the South China Sea and vowed to defend what it considers its territory, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that rejected China’s expansive claims under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has dismissed that ruling and continues to disregard it.
The Philippine Coast Guard urged its Chinese counterpart to respect international norms and prioritize safety at sea, warning against actions that put civilian lives at risk.
While the United States has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, it has reiterated that it is obligated under a mutual defense treaty to protect the Philippines if Filipino forces or vessels come under armed attack in the disputed waters. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also claimants in the long-standing maritime disputes, which remain a major regional flashpoint.