House Committee on Human Rights Chair and Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante Jr., in his privilege speech, condemned the reported water cannon attack by Chinese forces that injured three Filipino fishermen near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, calling the incident a “clear and unacceptable violation of human rights and international law.”
Abante said the use of high-pressure water cannons against unarmed civilian fishermen—who were lawfully fishing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone—crosses a dangerous line and emphasizes the growing risks faced by ordinary Filipinos trying to earn an honest living at sea.
“These were not military vessels. These were Filipino fishermen—civilians—whose only so-called ‘crime’ was exercising their legitimate right to fish in our own waters,” the veteran legislator said.
“To injure them through force and intimidation is an affront not just to our sovereignty, but to basic human dignity.”
“To injure them through force and intimidation is an affront not just to our sovereignty, but to basic human dignity,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, at least five China Coast Guard vessels, assisted by Chinese maritime militia ships, harassed around 20 Filipino fishing boats for several hours, with water cannons directly striking two boats and injuring three fishermen. The incident marked the first time that fishing boats themselves were hit, resulting in physical harm to civilians.
He stressed that the episode goes beyond a maritime dispute and must be recognized as a human rights concern, noting that international humanitarian and human rights norms protect civilians from violence, intimidation, and cruel treatment.
“When state-backed forces deliberately target civilians with dangerous methods, that is no longer just a diplomatic issue—it is a human rights issue,” Abante said.
“No fisherman should have to choose between feeding his family and risking injury in the waters of his own country!”
“No fisherman should have to choose between feeding his family and risking injury in the waters of his own country!” he added.
Abante said the House Committee on Human Rights will closely monitor the incident and support efforts to document abuses against Filipino civilians in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the importance of accountability and international attention.
“Our fishermen deserve protection. We must continue to stand firm—through diplomatic, legal, and multilateral means—in defending both our sovereign rights and the fundamental rights of our people,” he stressed.
Abante also called on the international community to take note of the incident, warning that repeated acts of coercion against civilians threaten regional stability and undermine respect for international law.
He pointed out that “the deafening silence of the international community only emboldens abuse.”
“The world must not close their eyes when, in broad daylight, ordinary Filipinos are harmed simply for asserting their lawful rights,” Abante concluded.
