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The Philippine government has strongly condemned China's maritime actions against Filipino fishermen near Sabina Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. The incident resulted in three injured fishermen and two damaged vessels after Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons and performed aggressive maneuvers. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro criticized the actions as dangerous and inhumane, violating international obligations to ensure human safety.
The Philippine government has issued a strong condemnation of China's maritime actions against Filipino fishermen operating near Sabina Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. The recent incident, which occurred last week, resulted in three civilian fishermen being injured and two fishing vessels being damaged. According to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, the Chinese coast guard's use of water cannons, aggressive maneuvers, and cutting of anchor lines directly led to these consequences.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Teodoro emphasized that such actions were not only dangerous but also inhumane, failing to uphold international obligations to ensure human safety at sea. The Philippine government views this incident as a serious violation of maritime norms and a threat to regional stability. The statement marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations over South China Sea territorial disputes.