The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been directed to ensure the safety of Filipino fisherfolk following China’s latest water cannon attack against Filipino fishermen at Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal

PCG said deployment of forces in “strategic locations” to protect fisherfolk came after three fishermen were injured in the incident, which also caused “significant damage” to two fishing vessels.

According to the PCG, around 20 Filipino fishing boats in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal were “targeted with water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers” by two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and accompanying Chinese maritime militia ships.

“In a brazen escalation, small CCG rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) deliberately cut the anchor lines of several Filipino fishing boats, endangering the vessels and their crews amid strong currents and high waves,” the Coast Guard said.

“As a direct result of these aggressive actions, three Filipino fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds,” it added.

Located about 75 nautical miles, or roughly 140 kilometers, off Palawan, Escoda Shoal is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections. It is also known as Sabina Shoal, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a major shipping route for more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne commerce, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea within Philippine territory have been designated by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the waters within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.