THREE Filipino fishermen were injured Friday after Chinese coast guard and militia vessels used water cannons and engaged in aggressive maneuvers against Filipino fishing boats near Escoda Shoal within the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement released Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that approximately 20 Filipino fishing boats in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal were “targeted with water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers” by two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and accompanying Chinese militia ships.
The PCG released photographic and video evidence of the incident, showing water cannons directed at outrigger boats and water impacting smaller vessels. Images also depicted individuals receiving medical attention following the incident.
According to the PCG, two Filipino fishing boats “suffered significant damage” from the high-pressure water cannon blasts.
“In a brazen escalation, small CCG Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) deliberately cut the anchor lines of several FFBs, endangering the vessels and their crews amid strong currents and high waves,” the PCG stated.
“As a direct result of these aggressive actions, three Filipino fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds,” it added.
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