Filipinos fishing on frontline of China's battle for disputed sea

Crew on outriggers sail past fishing "mother" boats in the village of Cato, as they prepare to leave for a fishing expedition to the South China Sea. - AFP

CATO, Philippines (AFP): Filipino fisherman Mariel Villamonte had spent years plying the turquoise waters of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea for snapper and grouper -- until a Chinese coast guard vessel water cannoned his boat.

That was in 2012, around the time China snatched control of the small ring of reefs from the Philippines, and he has not dared go back.