MANILA, Philippines — The United States condemned on Monday, Dec. 15 (Manila time), the China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons and the cutting of anchor lines against Filipino fishermen near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, after an incident that injured three crew members.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, within the Philippines’ claimed exclusive economic zone that China also claims. It reported that a China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannons at a Filipino fishing boat operating in the area and later cut the vessel’s anchor lines.
The Philippine Coast Guard released a video showing the China Coast Guard directing water cannon blasts at the fishing boat. It said three Filipino fishermen sustained injuries during the incident and that its personnel assisted the injured crew and secured the vessel.
US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in a statement released Sunday in Washington, D.C., that the China Coast Guard’s actions endangered Filipino fishermen who operate near Sabina Shoal. He said the United States stands with the Philippines under their treaty alliance.
Pigott said the actions undermine stability in the South China Sea and increase tensions among coastal states.
In a separate statement, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the United States condemns what it described as illegal actions by the China Coast Guard near Sabina Shoal and commended the Philippine Coast Guard for assisting the fishermen.