South China Sea flashpoint: China-Philippines face-off turns violent, water cannon assault fishermen

The Philippine Coast Guard says Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels injured three Filipino fishermen and badly damaged two fishing boats by blasting them with high‑pressure water cannon and cutting anchor lines near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila condemns Beijing’s “aggressive” actions against some 20 Filipino fishing boats operating inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, accusing China of endangering lives under the guise of “control measures,” while Chinese authorities insist they were lawfully driving Philippine vessels away from waters they claim as Xianbin Reef.