UNREPORTED both by our government and that of China is the fact that there is an ongoing standoff at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal between the coast guard vessels of the two countries, each insisting that its nation owns the area, with their presence there indicating their determination to hold on to their claims.

The 'collision' last week between China Coast Guard (CCG) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels were in fact actions by the Chinese to resolve the standoff by attempting to drive away two other Philippine vessels that arrived in the shoal to support the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which had been there for four months already.