PH files demarche vs China following water cannon attack against fishers in WPS

After the first direct harassment of local fishermen reported in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China’s coast guard attack on December 12, Palace said on Monday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro echoed the Department of Foreign Affairs condemned as she also emphasized the injuries of three fishermen and damaged two Philippine vessels after the Chinese Coast Guard performed hostile acts and fired a water cannon attack directly targeting 20 fisher boats near the Escoda Shoal.

With this, President Ferdinand Marcos urged the Philippine Coast Guard to prioritize the safety of the fisher folks operating in the WPS.

“The President also ordered the deployment of personnel in strategic locations to monitor the situation and provide protection to our fishermen,” Castro cited PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela.

In addition, Marcos also pushed his administration to get additional guard vessels to ensure 'more assets can be deployed to safeguard our interests and the interests of our people.'

Foreign Affairs secretary confirmed in an interview that Manila had submitted a demarche in accordance with the attack to the Chinese Embassy on Monday

On December 12, around 20 fisherboats were fired with water cannons, hazardous block maneuvers, and harassment by the CCG, including cutting of Filipino fishing boats’ anchor lines.

Tarriella stated, while this is not the first time being hit by water cannons, this marks the first time being hit directly by the neighboring coast guards.