United States Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, condemned China’s use of water cannons that injured three Filipino fishermen near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal off Palawan on Friday, December 12.
In an X post on Sunday, December 14, Carlson described the attacks as ‘aggressive tactics’, emphasizing that they threatened the lives and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen.
“China Coast Guard’s aggressive tactics—water cannoning and cutting anchor lines—against Filipino fishers at Sabina Shoal threaten lives and livelihoods,” the post read.
She also commended the Philippine Coast Guard for assisting the affected fishermen and upholding the country’s sovereign rights.
“We strongly condemn these illegal actions and applaud @coastguardph for aiding fishers and defending Philippine sovereign rights,” the post added.
On Friday, three fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds, after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) ships attacked the Filipino boats.
Additionally, two Filipino fishing boats suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts.
