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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
December 16, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — After condemning the latest Chinese water cannon attack in Philippine waters, President Marcos has ordered the deployment of more coast guard patrol vessels to protect Filipino fishermen.
“We spoke with Commodore Tarriela himself, and the President’s instructions and directives are to prioritize the safety of our countrymen, the fishermen whose lives are sometimes in danger,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in Filipino at a press briefing yesterday, referring to Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
Castro said the President was specific about his order for “deployments in strategic locations to guard and protect our fishermen” against harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG).
“And the President supports the purchase of coast guard vessels so that more people can guard our interests and the interests of our countrymen,” she added.
Castro said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has condemned the Dec. 12 incident which took place in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal off Palawan.
DFA demarche
The DFA said it lodged a demarche or diplomatic statement with the Chinese embassy yesterdsy.
According to Tarriela, nearly two dozen Philippine fishing boats “were targeted with water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers” by the Chinese. A small Chinese coast guard boat also cut the anchor lines of several Filipino boats, endangering their crews, the PCG said.
The attack left three Filipinos injured. The PCG official accused the Chinese of “evil wrongdoing to ordinary Filipino fishermen.”
“Three fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds. Two (Filipino fishing boats) also suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts,” Tarriela said.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) also condemned the recent act of Chinese aggression.
NMC spokesman Alexander Lopez said while there were previous instances of Chinese coast guard ships using water cannons on Filipino vessels, they were not that close, unlike last Friday’s incident in Escoda Shoal.
Lopez reminded China that there is no legal basis for its coast guard to be in Escoda Shoal, which is just 140 kilometers off Palawan.
Condemnation from foreign governments
In a statement, the US – through State Department principal deputy spokesman Thomas Pigott – said it “stands with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors, which undermine regional stability.”
“The United States condemns China’s water cannoning and cutting of anchor lines of Filipino fishers close to Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea,” Pigott said.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also lashed out at CCG’s “aggressive tactics” against the Filipino fishermen.
“China Coast Guard’s aggressive tactics – water cannoning and cutting anchor lines – against Filipino fishers at Sabina Shoal threaten lives and livelihoods,” Carlson wrote on X.
“We strongly condemn these illegal actions and applaud the Philippine Coast Guard for aiding fishers and defending Philippines sovereign rights,” she added.
The European Union also condemned the incident, with EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Anita Hipper saying China is “expected to exercise restraint, refrain from the use of force or coercion and resolve disputes peacefully,” respecting international law.
The EU said the 2016 arbitral award “is final and legally binding on the parties concerned.”
It said China’s recent “dangerous actions” caused injury to civilians and “undermined the lawful exercise of maritime rights.”
Canadian Ambassador David Harman expressed concern over the latest aggressive actions of China.
“Canada is seriously concerned by the Chinese Coast Guard’s aggressive actions against Filipino civilian fishing vessels near Sabina Shoal. These actions jeopardize regional peace and stability. Disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law,” Hartman said on X.
German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke said Germany stands with the Philippines in protecting the rules-based international order.
“I am concerned about yesterday’s water-cannoning near Sabina Shoal against Filipino fishermen fishing in the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) of the Philippines just to make a living,” Pfaffernoschke said also on X.
Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown also voiced concern over the incident and called for “restraint and respect for international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).” — Pia Lee-Brago
