Tensions in the West Philippine Sea flared up anew on Saturday, leaving three Filipino fishermen injured after China Coast Guard vessels sprayed their boats with water cannons and cut their anchor lines. The day before, Beijing said it had taken “necessary control measures” involving around 20 Philippine fishing boats near the flashpoint Sabina Shoal, a fish-rich area some 150 kilometers from Palawan. It was the latest in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in the contested waterway, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that said it had no right to be there.

Kabagani, L. J. (2025, December 14). 3 fishers injured in China attack. Daily Tribune, pp. A1, A2.