""Three fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds. Two [Filipino fishing boats] also suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts," the spokesman, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said in the statement. "The PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] calls on the Chinese Coast Guard to adhere to internationally recognised standards of conduct, prioritizing the preservation of life at sea over pretensions of law enforcement that jeopardize the lives of innocent fishermen," Tarriela said."
"He said Philippine Coast Guard vessels were initially blocked from reaching the area by "unprofessional and unlawful interferences" but succeeded on Saturday morning in getting through to provide medical attention to the injured. In a statement released Saturday, the China Coast Guard said it had taken "necessary control measures against the Philippine vessels ... including issuing warnings via loudspeaker and conducting external maneuvering to drive them away.""
Chinese coast guard vessels fired high-pressure water cannon and performed dangerous blocking maneuvers against about 20 Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal on Friday, injuring three fishermen and damaging two boats. The injured sustained bruises and open wounds. Philippine Coast Guard vessels were initially blocked from reaching the area by what the PCG described as unprofessional and unlawful interferences but reached the site Saturday morning to provide medical attention. The PCG urged the China Coast Guard to adhere to internationally recognised standards of conduct and prioritize preservation of life at sea. The China Coast Guard said it issued warnings and maneuvered to drive the Philippine vessels away. Beijing maintains broad South China Sea claims despite an international ruling finding those claims legally unfounded.
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