MANILA, Philippines (AP) - In a troubling incident off the contested South China Sea shoal known as Sabina, Chinese coast guard vessels used powerful water cannons and aggressive blocking maneuvers against a fleet of 20 Philippine fishing boats. The encounter resulted in injuries to three Filipino fishermen and inflicted damage on two of their vessels, according to the Philippine coast guard report released on Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, Chinese personnel aboard smaller rubber boats reportedly took further hostile actions by deliberately severing the anchor lines of several Philippine fishing boats. This reckless behavior endangered both the vessels and the fishermen on board as they battled strong currents and high waves, highlighting the dangers of the ongoing territorial disputes in the region.

While Chinese officials did not comment immediately on this recent flare-up, they have historically asserted their commitment to defending their claimed territories aggressively. The South China Sea, a crucial global trade route, is almost entirely claimed by China, despite the ruling of a 2016 arbitration that declared these expansive claims invalid under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has dismissed this ruling, describing it as a sham, and continues to operate as if it has sovereignty over the area.

In response to the alarming situation, two Philippine coast guard ships were dispatched to assist the distressed fishermen near Sabina Shoal. However, they faced dangerous maneuvers from the Chinese coast guard, with one Chinese vessel reportedly approaching within 35 yards (105 feet) of a Philippine ship at night, raising concerns about further confrontations.

According to Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, "The Chinese coast guard is now targeting ordinary fishermen, ordinary civilians, and they are endangering the lives of the Filipino fishermen." Despite these aggressive actions, the Philippine coast guard successfully reached the fishermen the following morning, providing immediate medical attention to the injured and delivering essential supplies, indicating a temporary easing of tensions in the immediate aftermath.

The Philippine coast guard emphasized the need for the Chinese coast guard to adhere to internationally recognized standards of conduct. They called for prioritizing the preservation of life at sea over actions that threaten the safety of innocent fishermen, underscoring the humanitarian aspect of the dispute.

The United States, while having no territorial claims in the South China Sea, has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, which is its oldest treaty ally in Asia. This obligation extends to Filipino forces, including coast guard personnel, ships, and aircraft that may come under armed attack in these disputed waters.

Other nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also entangled in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a region long regarded as an Asian flashpoint. The recent incidents further underscore the volatility surrounding sovereignty claims and the potential for escalation in confrontations between nations vying for rights over valuable maritime territories.