By Tracy Cabrera
THE injury of three fishermen and damage to two fishing boats near the Escoda Shoal (also known as Sabina Shoal) is no longer a matter of routine harassment by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea but a direct and intentional attack on peaceful Filipino civilians operating lawfully within their own waters, according to several civic groups.
In a statement, members of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement protested China’s latest act of aggression as tantamount to an act of war that escalates unwanted tension in the region.
According to the four groups’ chairman emeritus, Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia personnel utilized high-pressure water cannons during aggressive maneuvers against unarmed fishing boats despite the fact that their targets were not combatants and posed no threat.
“They were unarmed civilians fishing lawfully in waters long relied upon by Filipino communities. What occurred was not an accident. It was a deliberate act—an act of war against civilians,” Goitia strongly opposed.
“When a state deliberately injures peaceful civilians in their own territory, that is already an act of war. Our fishermen were targeted on purpose. That crosses every line,” he asserted while stressing that the use of force against non-combatants strips away any claim of law enforcement or maritime regulation.
“This is no longer posturing,” he added. “This is violence against Filipinos whose only act was to earn a living in their own sea.”
Thankfully, Goitia cited, the Philippine Coast Guard was able to move swiftly to assist the injured fishermen, providing medical aid and escorting them to safety despite continued challenges by the Chinese aggressors at sea. He highlighted that the response reflected the state’s clear responsibility to protect Filipinos operating lawfully within their maritime domain.
In ending, criticized China’s attempt to justify its actions through expansive maritime claims that have long been rejected under international law.
“The 2016 arbitral ruling affirmed that areas such as Escoda Shoal fall within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) so our fishermen were exercising rights recognized under international law. There is no ambiguity about that.
“Attacking our fishermen does not just damage boats. It strikes families, livelihoods and the dignity of the Filipino people. The West Philippine Sea is not an abstract concept—it is where Filipinos work, live, and sustain their families,” Goitia concluded.
