Around 200 protesters gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City to denounce the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard on Filipino fishermen at Escoda Shoal.

Led by the FDNY Movement, ALAB, and Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, the demonstrators burned effigies of Chinese Coast Guard ships and tore apart cardboard Chinese flags. They carried placards reading “Hands off, China is a bully in WPS” and staged a symbolic protest by lying on the street under nets to dramatize the threat to Filipino fishermen.

The groups condemned China’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed to the lives and livelihoods of local fishermen and calling for respect for Philippine sovereignty. Protesters demanded an end to harassment in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and justice for the injured fishermen.

The rally was scheduled for one hour but was limited to just 20 minutes by the Makati City Police, citing the lack of a permit for the protest.