Philippines says fishermen hurt, boats damaged by China in South China Sea

The Philippine coast guard said on Saturday that three Filipino fishermen had been wounded and two fishing vessels suffered "significant damage" when Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon in a disputed South China Sea shoal

The Philippine coast guard said on Saturday that three Filipino fishermen had been wounded and two fishing vessels suffered "significant damage" when Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon in a disputed South China Sea shoal.

Manila's coast guard said nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats near Sabina Shoal were targeted with water cannon and blocking manoeuvres on Friday. A small Chinese coast guard boat also cut the anchor lines of several Filipino boats, endangering their crews, it said.

"The PCG calls on the Chinese Coast Guard to adhere to internationally recognised standards of conduct, prioritising the preservation of life at sea over pretensions of law enforcement that jeopardize the lives of innocent fishermen," Manila's coast guard said in a statement.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside office hours. On Friday, China's coast guard said it had driven away multiple Philippine vessels and taken "control measures".

That statement, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said on Saturday, was an admission of wrongdoing.