National Maritime Council on Monday condemned the harassment of Filipino fishers by China Coast Guard vessels at Escoda Shoal, with their official statement release saying it “expressed alarm over the harassment of Filipino artisanal fishers” in waters “well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone” or the EEZ.

The NMC said that on December 12, around 20 Filipino fishing boats were met with “water cannons, hazardous blocking maneuvers, and hostile actions, including the cutting of anchor lines,” leaving three fishers injured and two boats damaged.

Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Malapascua and BRP Cape Engaño were deployed to assist, providing medical aid and supplies despite “dangerous maneuvers from multiple CCG ships.”

The council described China’s claim of using “necessary control measures” as “deeply troubling,” stressing that actions endangering civilian fishers cannot be justified. The Philippines said it will lodge a diplomatic protest and reaffirmed its commitment to protect its people and sovereign rights through “peaceful and rules-based means.”