Fisherman hurt as Chinese blast Pinoys in Panatag Shoal with water cannon

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed on Monday that the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannon at Filipino fishermen at Panatag Shoal, also known as a Bajo de Masinloc, in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea. 

 

The Filipino fishermen said in a report on GMA-7's "24 Oras" that more than 20 fishing boats from the Philippines and Vietnam were shooed away by the Chinese Coast Guard. They also provided a video of the incident. 


 

The fishermen said they were only in Panatag Shoal to seek shelter from big waves. But the Chinese started firing water cannon at them and continued doing so for an hour and a half.

 

"'No fishing, no fishing! Go go go!' ang sabi po sa amin. Ilang beses nang ganoon. Kami po nagbubuhat na kami ng angkla namin, pero inisprayan na ho kami," said Efren Montehermozo. 

 

Since the Chinese coast guard ship was only around 150 meters away from the fishermen, one of them got hurt. 

 

"'Yung isang kasamahan namin doon ang binanatan talaga. Kawawa 'yung isa, mayroon tumalsik... Umalis na lang kami," said boat captain Rey Montehermozo. 

 

He added that there were no PCG vessels in the area to turn to when the incident happened. 

 

Because of the incident, many fishermen fear going back to sea. But they have no choice since fishing was their main source of income. 

 

PCG advises caution

 

Although the PCG already confirmed the incident, they said they are still waiting for word to send help to Panatag Shoal. For the meantime, they asked fishermen to be more careful. 

 

"Although nangyari siya, hindi naman natin puwedeng sabihin na huwag silang mangisda so tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman... Mag-ingat lang... Kung puwedeng iwasan, iwasan lang sila," said PCG spokesman Cdr. William Arquero.  
 

 

"Maalala natin na ang 'yung dalawang Hamilton-class cutter ay parehong Coast Guard patrol ships na ginagamit ng ating pamahaalan sa kasalukuyan. Kaya ito naman ay dini-deploy sa pinakainam na paraan," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma. 

 

The Palace addded that it would use legal and diplomatic ways to resolve maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. 

 

Also, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the government was looling into providing escorts for Filipino fishermen to minimize further incidents. — Trisha Macas/JDS/DVM, GMA News