The Philippines will file another diplomatic protest against China after three Filipino fishermen were injured in a water cannon attack at Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, officials confirmed on Monday, December 15.
National Maritime Council Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is finalizing its formal report, which will serve as the basis for the protest filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The PCG reported that on December 12, China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at Philippine fishing boats, cut their anchor lines with rigid hull inflatable boats, and used dangerous maneuvers amid strong currents and high waves.
“Yung nangyari sa Escoda ay talagang malapitan at direkta kaya nasugatan na ang ating mga mangisngisda at nakasira ng kanilang sasakyang pangingisda. Kaya tayo po ay nababahala at kinokondena ang pangyayaring ito,” Lopez said.
Escoda Shoal, 70 nautical miles west of Palawan, lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, where the country has sovereign rights over resources such as fish, oil, and natural gas. China calls the area Xianbin Jiao and claims it as part of the Nansha Qundao.
Lopez condemned China’s actions as violations of Philippine and international law.
“Illegal ang kanilang presensya sa Escoda Shoal at wala silang karapatang legal base sa international law na magpatupad ng kanilang tinatawag na control measures. Ang kanilang presence sa Escoda Shoal ay nagpapahiwatig pa din ng kanilang ambisyon na sakupin at angkinin ang kabuuan ng South China Sea kasama na dito ang West Philippine Sea,” he said.
The council assured local fishermen of protection and encouraged them to continue their activities.
“Sa ating mga kababayan lalong-lalo na sa ating bagong bayaning mangingisda, sa gabay at pag-uutos ng ating Pangulo, bagama’t meron tayong hinaharap na malaking hamon, wag tayong mangangamba, ipatuloy natin ang ating pangingisda sa West Philippine Sea. Nasa panig po tayo ng legal ng batas,” Lopez said.
“Lahat ng yamang dagat… ay tayong mga Pilipino lang ang dapat makinabang,” he added.