The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) defended the United States after Beijing criticized Washington for condemning China’s water cannoning and the cutting of anchor lines of Filipino fishers near Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the US was not interfering in the maritime dispute and was justified in calling out China’s actions, noting that similar statements were made by other countries.
“Despite the United States being the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally, it never interfered in the maritime disputes in the South China Sea,” Tarriela said in a post on X on Tuesday, December 16.
“The US calling out the People’s Republic of China’s barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea is a principled move. Every law-abiding nation is expected to stand for what is right and lawful,” he added.
The statement followed a weekend confrontation near Escoda Shoal in which three Filipino fishermen were injured after being hit by China’s water cannon. On December 14, the US Department of State said it stood with the Philippines “as they confront China’s provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors, which undermine regional stability.”
China’s foreign ministry rejected the US remarks, saying Washington had no right to interfere.
“The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between parties concerned,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, adding that the US should stop “making fact-distorting and provocative remarks.”
Tarriela stressed that Washington was not alone in condemning China’s actions. Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the European Union also called for de-escalation, urged China to refrain from coercion—especially against fishermen—and reaffirmed support for a rules-based international order.
“The international community is well aware of these facts and will not be misled by propaganda portraying the Philippines as the aggressor,” Tarriela said.