, Zambales—Filipino fishermen say a Chinese coast guard vessel drove them away from their traditional fishing ground off Zambales province, where satellite photographs show China is building military facilities.
Deogenes Corseles, 36, said the latest incident of Chinese aggression toward Filipino fishermen happened about 2 p.m. on April 9, when the Chinese vessel used a water cannon to drive away at least 80 fishermen from Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).
Some of the fishermen, who were mostly from the provinces of Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan, arrived in this town on Friday to sell their catch at a local fish port after spending a week near the shoal, which China claims is part of its territory in the South China Sea.
Corseles told the Inquirer that one of his companions fell off his boat and was hurt.
The shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc, is located 230 kilometres from Masinloc town in Zambales. It used to be a free zone for local fishermen until the Chinese seized it in 2012.
Corseles said personnel from the Chinese ship used a megaphone to warn the fishermen and played a recorded message in English asking them to leave.
“The Chinese vessel was about 150 meters from our boats when its personnel fired a water cannon. One of us fell off the boat and sustained injuries,” he said.
Corseles said most of the Filipino fishermen, who were in eight boats, were hit by water sprayed by the Chinese vessel. He said they immediately left the shoal, but returned the following day.
Jun Rey Barrios, 33, said Chinese coast guard personnel chased them using rubber boats on April 11. (Associated Press)