Chinese vessels block Filipino fishermen near Escoda Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command is investigating an incident where Filipino fishermen reported being blocked by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels near Escoda Shoal, with the Philippine Coast Guard releasing videos showing the harassment.

Arnel Lepalam, a fisherman from Quezon, Palawan, said his group was harassed early morning on October 9 when they encountered two CCG speedboats blocking their path to the shoal and again on October 17.

Lepalam noted that about 15 Chinese vessels prevented them from fishing and no Philippine vessel was present at the time of the incident, leading his group to move to Iroquois Reef instead.

AFP Western Command commander Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres, Jr. assured that an inquiry will be conducted and appropriate action taken in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Escoda Shoal is located within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but China claims it as part of its Nansha Islands.

Recently, China summoned the Philippine ambassador to express objection to two new laws asserting maritime rights and sovereignty over disputed areas in the South China Sea.