Philippines says 3 fishermen injured by Chinese coast guard's water cannons off disputed shoal

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard reported Saturday that Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against 20 Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident resulted in injuries to three Filipino fishermen and damage to two of their boats.

The Philippine Coast Guard described the Chinese actions as life-threatening, stating that the Chinese coast guard also used blocking maneuvers against the Filipino vessels.

According to the report, personnel from the Chinese coast guard, using smaller rubber boats, deliberately cut the anchor lines of several Philippine boats on Friday afternoon. The coast guard said this act endangered the boats and their crews due to strong currents and high waves.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement citing a Chinese coast guard spokesperson, Liu Dejun. Liu stated that the Chinese coast guard took "necessary control measures" against Philippine vessels that "deliberately intruded" into waters near Xianbin Jiao (the Chinese name for Sabina Shoal) under the guise of fishing. These measures included verbal warnings and expulsions.

Liu Dejun added that the Chinese coast guard will continue to enforce its claims in the area. "The Chinese coast guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Liu said.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital global trade route, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.