Post by : Rameen Ariff

The Philippine Coast Guard has reported that three Filipino fishermen were injured and two fishing vessels suffered significant damage after being targeted by Chinese coast guard ships near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats subjected to water cannon fire and aggressive blocking maneuvers. According to Manila, a small Chinese coast guard boat also cut the anchor lines of several Filipino vessels, putting the crews at serious risk.

The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemned the actions, calling on the Chinese Coast Guard to follow internationally recognized standards of conduct and prioritize the safety of lives at sea over any claims of law enforcement. The statement emphasized that such actions endangered innocent fishermen operating within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela described the incident as an admission of wrongdoing by the Chinese authorities, highlighting the risks posed to ordinary Filipino fishermen.

Despite repeated interference from Chinese vessels, Philippine coast guard teams were able to reach the injured fishermen, providing immediate medical care and essential supplies. Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Reef by China and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, lies about 150 kilometers west of Palawan province and is part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas that overlap the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The South China Sea is a vital international waterway, facilitating over $3 trillion in annual global trade. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s extensive claims had no legal basis under international law, a decision Beijing has consistently rejected. The recent incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region as Chinese coast guard ships continue to assert control over disputed waters, raising concerns about maritime safety and the rights of Filipino fishermen in the area.

This escalation in the South China Sea highlights the risks faced by local fishermen amid ongoing disputes, and it adds pressure on both Manila and Beijing to find measures to prevent further incidents that could threaten lives and regional stability.

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