China are playing bully boy tactics here. They say they are keen to resolve the dispute but refuse to adhere to UNCLOS, the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea and are unwilling to mediate through that medium. Feelings are running high amongst the youth of the country and a series of tit for tat cyber attacks have taken place, recently the PAGASA website was hacked and it is unfortunate timing for DOT if Chinese tourist are advised not to visit.9% of the countries arrivals are from China and this will be a major setback to increasing tourist arrivals.
The Scarborough Shoal is less than 124 miles from the Zambales coastline and well within the 200 mile territorial limit. It is at least 600 miles from China.
I was at Magalawa island last week near Palauig which is directly east of the disputed area.Local fishermen were complaining that they have been prevented from fishing the area by the Chinese navy whilst there are more than 30 Chinese fishing boats trawling in the area, carting away coral and protected species.
There is still the ongoing issue of the Spratlys to which China are also laying claim.
I predict that the area around US Embassy on Roxas blvd will be quieter as mass demonstrations break out at the Chinese embassy in Makati
This issue is really stirring up a sense of nationalism in Filipinos
Originally Posted by tanga
