AQUINO’S BLUSTER THAT LOST US PANATAG: The PDI’s front page April 12, 2012. Note caption for huge photo of the Philippine Navy ship: “The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the country’s biggest warship .. was deployed to Scarborough Shoal after Navy surveillance ships spotted eight Chinese fishing vessels there.” The warship left a day after it arrived though.

Some background: Although China and the Philippines had each been laying claim to Scarborough Shoal, there was never been an attempt from either the Chinese or Philippine forces to permanently station troops there. Fishermen from both countries acted as though there were no dispute, fished around and in the area, and routinely used its lagoon as a refuge from storms.

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