The US on Monday felt the support of the Philippines in the midst of China in the South China Sea, using what is called Beijing’s fleet after the Filipino fishermen were injured in the Dece D. 12 Conflict.
In a statement, the US State Department said that China’s actions in strategic waterways were dangerous and retroactive, pointing to a past incident where Chinese ships chased away boats in the Philippines.
“These aggressive actions threaten the fishing of filipinos and their pride,” the ministry said. “We stand with our Philippine allies as they face China’s provocative actions and the above strategies of their neighbors.”
The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said three Filipino fishermen were injured and two fishing vessels suffered serious damage after the vessels from the China Coast Cannons near the Savina Shoal Sea, a rival feature of South Africa.
The Shoal is among several areas claimed by Manila and Beijing where maritime disputes have escalated.
Philippine authorities have described China’s activities as coercive and escalating, while Beijing maintains that its patrols and enforcement actions are legitimate actions to protect its sovereignty.
A Chinese foreign minister said Philippine boats are being targeted by naval vessels and deliberately anchored in the Sabina Shoal despite repeated warnings from the China Coast Guard.
“The Philippines needs to stop its violation, reduction and harm, stop the strong determination of the sea, and reject the challenge of strong determination to protect our sovereignty and rights and interests,” he told the news agency, based on the Department’s website.
Mr Guo added that he “does not have the right to interfere in maritime disputes” in the South China Sea and should stop supporting Manila’s efforts to stake its claim on the waters it claims.
China claims rights over the entire South China Sea through its so-called 9ine-Dash line, a claim shared by those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The United Nations decision – A recent arbitration decision in 2016 was blamed on China’s drift, although Beijing refused to recognize the decision.
Tensions have flared up several times in the past year around key maritime features, including areas seen as sensitive to the re-alignment of Philippine marines stationed inside. BRP Sierra Madrea naval base serving as an outlet at the Second Shomas Shoal.
Sabina Shoal Lies 150 kilometers west of the Philippine province of Palawan.
The latest incident emphasizes the growing risk that will not only be military ships but also by citizens working in conflicting waters, as the students of the citizens find themselves on the front lines of geopolitics.
And on Monday, a coalition of Philippine civil society groups pledged to increase military activity in the South China Sea in response to what it said was harassment of Chinese ships.
The Atin Ito (this is ours) coalition, which organizes the annual community sails to affirm the presence of the Philippines, said it plans to launch more activities next year.
“In 2026, we will mobilize more civilian equipment to continue the fight for water,” said Rafaela David, a union representative, in a statement. “The answer to abuse and violence is solidarity and active citizenship.”
Volunteers of the group have organized several trips for citizens in the past two years and earlier this year they took a concert in the sea near Thitu Island, known locally as Pag-ASA.
Thitu is the second largest of the disputed islands and hosts a small community of Filipino Civince who have lived there since the early 1970s. The island lies about 500 kilometers west of Palawan.
Competing claims in the South China Sea have prompted frequent encounters between Philippine and Chinese vessels, with both sides seeking to bolster their claims through litigation, infrastructure development and repression.
Last year, a civilian flotilla planned to sail alongside a boat near the shoal controlled by the Shoaal to avoid a possible collision with the large number of Chinese ships patrolling the area.
The US has repeatedly confirmed that its virtual defense agreement with the Philippines is effective against armed attacks on Philippine forces, ships and aircraft in the South China Sea, a deterrence situation in South China within the Region.
‘Deeply suspicious’
Meanwhile, the National Maritime Council (NMC) has expressed alarm over the recent abuse of the “patience and risk-taking” of Philipa artisanal fishermen in the Sabina Shoal.
Besides the water-cannon attack, China’s Coast Guard vessels are deliberately targeting Philippine fishing boats, a separate statement said.
“These actions put the lives of these Filipino artisanal fishermen at great risk, adding more danger to some of the harsh sea conditions,” the Council said. “It is very sad that three Filipino fishermen were physically injured, and two fishing boats were also damaged.”
The Philippine government immediately responded by sending Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships BRP Malapascua and BRP Cape Engaño to help and protect fishermen.
“As these PCG vessels carry out their humanitarian and security duties, they were also exposed to dangerous situations and close encounters with China Coast Guard vessels, including a dangerous incident at night,” it said.
A central government statement on the China Coast expressed the use of “necessary control measures” and was “deeply concerned,” the Council said.
“Any measure that involves waterways, dangerous methods and actions that cause injury and damage to the boats of small fishermen, especially when they find fishermen who are fishing peacefully in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” it added.
The Philippines will come up with an appropriate response and register “strong opposition” to these actions, the Maritime Council said.
Palace press officer Circa A. Castro said the Philippine government will bring its protest to the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday. “We are giving a shout out to the Chinese Embassy today,” he told a news conference. – Kcl Basilio
