The Department of National Defense (DND) rejected China’s version of the incident that injured at least three fishermen near the Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week.

China has been claiming that it implemented “control measures” but DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the narrative is distorted and does not erase the fact that water cannons and blocking maneuvers inflicted injuries to civilians who are traditionally fishing in the area.

“The Philippines is not hyping the issue, the facts speak for themselves. These are aggressive, excessive, and dangerous actions of an encroaching state,” said Andolong as he insisted that the area is well within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

“The Philippines rejects the erroneous notion that reckless conduct at sea constitutes ‘effective measures.’ Using water cannons, cutting anchor lines, and obstructing humanitarian assistance are actions that place lives at risk and violate basic maritime safety norms. They do not safeguard stability. They undermine it,” he emphasized.

China has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea using arguments that were rejected by the United Nations Tribunal in the case filed and won by the Philippine government.

Despite the ruling, China went on with its claim and even deployed more vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

China was also accused of repeatedly using water cannons and even ramming Philippine vessels in the past, the incidents have been the subject of numerous diplomatic protests and condemnations of the international community.

In last week’s recent case, Andolong said China’s statement confirming the incident that happened on Escoda Shoal only proved the interference with civilian fishing boats and Philippine Coast Guard vessels providing aid to injured civilians.

“No amount of rhetorical reframing changes the reality that ordinary fishermen were harmed while fishing lawfully within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and that the Chinese Coast Guard deliberately disrupted our humanitarian efforts,” said Andolong.

He, however, said that the Philippine government will not be intimidated by such action as he vowed that the DND will continue to protect its people, uphold international law, and assert its rights calmly, professionally, and transparently.

“We will not be intimidated from benefitting from our resources by China's constant bullying, prevarication, or so-called effective measures,” said Andolong.

“What truly threatens peace is the persistent, unsafe behavior that endangers civilians and demonize any form of resistance against an abusive neighbor,” he added.