FAR from de-escalating, the China-Philippines dispute in the South China Sea takes one more step toward escalation.

Latest development is that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Teresa Magbanua has dropped anchor for no apparent reason in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal and has stayed put there. As of this writing, the PCG has made no indication that the vessel would leave the area. Speculation is rife that the PCG is poised to do a similar ruse to the grounding of the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 and not letting go of the atoll since. That was how the reef, to China's chagrin, became a Philippine military outpost manned by Philippine Marines.