A progressive fishers’ group on Sunday, Dec. 14, denounced what it described as a water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against Filipino fishing boats operating near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, an incident that reportedly left three fishermen injured and damaged two vessels.

In a statement, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said at least 20 Filipino fishing boats were targeted during the encounter.

“Mariin naming kino-kondena ang panibagong insidente ng paninindak ng China sa mga Pilipinong mangingisda. Ito ay lantarang pagpapamalas ng kanilang antagonistiko at walang batayang kontrol sa ating teritoryal na pangisdaan (We strongly condemn this latest incident of China’s intimidation of Filipino fishermen. This is a blatant display of their antagonistic and baseless control over our territorial fishing grounds),” the group said.

According to Pamalakaya, the encounter serves as a reminder of China’s sustained military presence in the country’s seas, which the group said should be resolved immediately through diplomatic and non-violent approaches.

With this, the fishers’ group urged the Filipinos to speak out strongly against China’s alleged aggressive moves targeting Filipino fishermen.

“Repleksyon rin ito ng kakulangan, kung hindi man kapabayaan, ng administrasyong Marcos na mapagpasyang igiit ang ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea (This also reflects the lack, if not negligence, of the Marcos administration in decisively asserting our rights in the West Philippine Sea),” it stated.

Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that three fishermen were injured after Chinese vessels fired water cannons and conducted what it described as dangerous maneuvers against Filipino fishing boats near Escoda Shoal.

According to the PCG, the incident occurred on Friday, Dec. 12, while around 20 Filipino fishing boats were operating in the area. Escoda Shoal is located about 75 nautical miles, or roughly 140 kilometers, off Palawan and lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the fishermen were allegedly harassed by China Coast Guard vessels bearing bow numbers “21559” and “21562,” along with several Chinese maritime militia boats.

The PCG said three fishermen were injured after being hit by high-pressure water cannon blasts, suffering bruises and open wounds, while two fishing boats were damaged in the incident.