Photo credit, NASA Landsat 7 image of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea
The former USCGC Hamilton, now BRP Gregorio del Pilar, is at the center of a standoff with the Chinese over a remote atoll shaped group of rocks and shallows called variously Scarborough (or Panatag) Reef or Shoal.
Both the Chinese and the Philippines claim sovereignty.
A Philippine patrol plane located eight Chinese fishing vessels inside the atoll. With the Gregorio del Pilar now on scene, two Chinese Maritime Surveillance vessels are blocking Philippine fisheries enforcement action against the fishing vessels and the Chinese are demanding the Philippine Navy depart their waters; while the Philippines is asserting it will enforce its sovereignty. Diplomacy is given lip service, but the standoff is ongoing. The US has a treaty obligation to the Philippines (subject to interpretation of course) and there are calls for US assistance.
A long discussion from the Philippine point of view here.
Photo: Philippine flag planted on Scarborough Shoal, Photographed by Adel Rosario, 05:11, 2 May 2010 (UTC)
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Discussion of the Philippines central role in US pivot to Asia. http://thediplomat.com/2016/04/why-the-philippines-is-critical-to-the-us-rebalance-to-asia/
I know commercial and military shipbuilding is very different but it is still ironic that the worlds 4th largest shipbuilder needs 40 year old hand me down cutters turned frigates.
They are getting new light frigates (something really close to the OPC) from India and they are getting some new construction small LPD like ships from Indonesia.
China has depleted the fisheries in their own waters, now they are moving on to overfish their neighbors. because after all it is traditional. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/fishing-fleet-puts-china-on-collision-course-with-neighbors-in-south-china-sea/2016/04/12/8a6a9e3c-fff3-11e5-8bb1-f124a43f84dc_story.html?wpisrc=nl_draw
When fishing was less efficient this may not have been a problem, but now, there is the potential to completely destroy an ecosystem.
Back to where this post started. It appears the Chinese may be preparing to build up Scarborough Shoal as another air and naval base, this one only 168 miles from Subic Bay. http://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-plan-for-military-buildup-disputed-island/
Philippine Election is coming up soon.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-javad-heydarian/the-end-of-philippine-dem_b_9666998.html
Philippines and Vietnam discuss joint patrols. http://www.marinelink.com/news/philippines-vietnam408079.aspx
A proposal about how the apparent coming collision between the US and China might be avoided. http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2016/04/divert-course-beijing-needs-way-save-face-south-china-sea/127449/?oref=defenseone_today_nl
US and the Philippines doing joint patrols, “…the Defense Department announced that the U.S. and Philippines have twice conducted joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea, once in March and once in April, and said it plans to continue regular joint patrols in the future.” http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-to-rotate-more-aircraft-troops-through-philippines-1.404418
Australia believes China is about to do something provocative in advance of the Tribunal’s decision on the South China Sea case. http://thediplomat.com/2016/04/australian-intelligence-china-poised-to-take-decisive-and-provocative-action-in-the-south-china-sea/?utm_content=buffere0d32&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
The US and China are both trying to influence ASEAN’s reaction to the coming decision of the international tribunal regarding Philippines case against China’s action in the South China Sea. http://www.marinelink.com/news/ruling-urges-asean408913.aspx
Analysis of China’s intentions. http://www.smh.com.au/comment/south-china-sea-the-fight-china-will-take-to-the-brink-of-war-20160425-goe3zi.html#ixzz46zixrjKd
Analysis of US actions. http://warontherocks.com/2016/05/successful-signaling-at-scarborough-shoal/
Profile of CINC PAC. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/07/world/asia/us-admiral-harry-harris.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0
Chinese fighters intercept US recon aircraft, object to US actions. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-south-china-sea-idUSKCN0Y92ZA
http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/south-china-sea-who-claims-what-in-the-spratlys/
China states their position. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2016/05/mil-160527-pdo01.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e1729%2ejj0ao001ud%2e1l87
China deplores the Philippines decision to use the international tribunal.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2016/06/mil-160608-pdo01.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e1737%2ejj0ao001ud%2e1lhm
The Japanese Admiral is correct–unfortunately. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/9/obamas-strategy-thwart-china-south-china-sea-showd/
What appears to be a fairly sophisticated appreciation of China’s internal discussion regarding the meaning the “9 dash line.” http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/06/23/the-fight-inside-china-over-the-south-china-sea-beijing-divided-three-camps/
A decision on the Philippines case before the international tribunal is expected on July 12.
Not unexpectedly, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in favor of the Philippines. The following is a quote from the BryMar website. http://brymar-consulting.com/?page_id=6
“Various media outlets are reporting that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled in favor of the Philippines in its dispute with the People’s Republic of China regarding the status of major portions of the South China Sea. Unfortunately, the Court’s internet site is currently unavailable (possibly due to high use or to malicious access denial). According to the available reports, the ruling found that China has no right to block the access of Philippine fishermen to waters with 200 nautical miles of the Philippines and that its construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea is improper and causes severe harm to the environment. China contends that the Court has no jurisdiction regarding this dispute. (7/12/16) [https://pca-cpa.org/].”
Asia Times says expect a Chinese response to the Tribunal decision during the Election http://atimes.com/2016/07/why-china-will-hold-its-fire-in-the-south-china-sea-until-september/
China activates four of five light houses planned for the South China Sea. http://www.marinelink.com/news/lighthouses-activates413287.aspx
Elements in the Chinese military want to give the US a “bloody nose” http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/1/china-wants-bloody-nose-us-south-china-sea/
Japan warns China. http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/08/02/south-china-sea-japan-islands/87949994/
Chinese conduct combat air patrols over the disputed “islands.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-conducts-combat-patrols-over-contested-islands-101929539.html?ref=gs
“It seems if the People’s Republic of China is going to make a push to radically alter the status-quo in the South China Sea—by reclaiming the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal that is clearly within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines—we now have a good idea of when that might happen: sometime between early September, after the G-20 summit being hosted in China, and the U.S. presidential election on November 8th”. http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/report-china-could-make-big-move-the-south-china-starting-17350
In an unusual show of force the Air Force has sent all three types of its strategic bombers to Guam. https://warisboring.com/b-1-b-2-and-b-52-bombers-all-descend-on-guam-in-a-huge-show-of-force-9f17fca08bcb#.uopuzyfii
Philippines mobilizes f/v to counter Chinese incursions. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/577780/news/nation/agriculture-chief-pinol-forms-task-force-vs-illegal-fishing-in-west-phl-sea
War between the US and China?http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/08/24/war_with_china_thinking_through_the_unthinkable_109744.html
Is the US willing to go to war over the South China Sea? http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/would-america-really-go-war-over-the-south-china-sea-17570?page=2
Looks like China is getting ready to militarize Scarborough Shoal, only 124 nautical miles from the Philippines. and 650 kilometers (350 nautical miles) away from the nearest major Chinese landmass. It i also relatively near the former US bases at Subic Bay.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/145199-philippines-china-explain-ships-scarborough-shoal?utm_content=buffer980e4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer.
A suggestion we need to make China feel so economic pain as a result of its misbehavior. http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2016/09/04/at-chinas-g20-economics-is-the-new-militarism/#2e6f10d25252
China and Russia practice coordinated Naval Ops, including small scale Amphibious landing. https://news.usni.org/2016/09/12/china-russia-start-joint-south-china-sea-naval-exercise-includes-island-seizing-drill?utm_source=USNI+News&utm_campaign=ff788f4223-USNI_NEWS_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0dd4a1450b-ff788f4223-230448833&mc_cid=ff788f4223&mc_eid=e873a959e6
A nice, consice examination of Sea Leanes in and out of the South China Sea and the possibile effects of China’s militarization of their artificial islands. http://www.eaglespeak.us/2016/09/once-again-china-and-its-sea-lines-of.html
Reports the Chinese have left Scarborough Shoal discussed. http://www.ibtimes.sg/have-chinese-left-disputed-scarborough-shoal-ten-key-points-4299
Some discussion, with sympathy for the Chinese position. https://news.usni.org/2016/11/30/former-admiral-american-pacific-allies-wary-risk-u-s-china-war
An excellent explanation of where the Chinese are going with their island building. http://cimsec.org/prcs-new-garrisons-south-china-sea-u-s-perspective/30158
China warns the new administration. http://www.voanews.com/a/china-us-south-china-sea/3689534.html
A call for true Freedom of Navigation Exercises. http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/02/06/full_frontal_fonops_110755.html
China’s build-up in the Paracels. https://amti.csis.org/paracels-beijings-other-buildup/
Manila expects the Chinese to put miliary installations on Scarborough Shoal, This is well inside their EEZ, about 140 miles from Subic Bay.
https://news.usni.org/2017/02/10/manila-predicts-beijing-will-build-base-on-scarborough-shoal#more-23633
Navy is planning to go closer to China’s artificial islands. Waiting to see if the Trump administration approves.
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/navy-south-china-sea
China warns the US not to challenge their sovereignty claims. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-china-usa-idUSKBN15U16Y
Looks like China is installing long range surface to air missiles on their artificial islands. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-usa-southchinasea-exclusive-idUSKBN161029
Ant there is this. http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2017/02/beijing-wants-limit-foreign-submarine-operations-near-its-south-china-sea-islands/135582/?oref=d-river
Looks like at least some Chinese are thinking if the US wants to meddle in our business, then we should meddle in theirs. a Chinese Atlantic strategy. http://nationalinterest.org/feature/beijing-sea-china-crafting-atlantic-maritime-strategy-19622
A note that the US conducted “Freedom of Navigation” exercises against excessive claims by 21 nations in addition to China in 2016. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/not-just-china-us-navy-ships-challenged-territorial-claims-of-21-other-countries-last-year/article/2616565
Philippine Navy told to run off Chinese survey ship if they return East of Philippines.
http://www.update.ph/2017/03/navy-has-standing-order-to-drive-away-chinese-survey-ships-from-eastern-ph/15520
From the German Navy blog, Marine Forum: 12 March, “CHINA, Local media report on Chinese Navy plans to increase strentgth of marine corps from currently 20,000 to about 100,000 … already added two brigades of “special combat soldiers” … sources claim some of the new naval infantry units may be based in Gwadar (Pakistan) and in Djibouti (rmks; which remains to be seen …)”
For comparison, the US Marine Corps has about 182,000 active members.
The Philippines says they will be improving their facilities on 9 features in the Spratlys.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-southchinasea-idUSKBN16O0SS
Appears the Philippines is now trying a different tact with China. Will be occupying and fortifying some of the South China Sea features it claims. http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/04/06/1688271/duterte-orders-military-occupy-south-china-sea-areas