Appreciation on the Masterpieces

Scarborough Shoal Dispute

Dispute over the Scarborough Shoal will greatly affect the economic position of Philippines

Neil Patrick L. Lopez

Zuriel Ezekiel B. Quiblat

I. Introduction

The tension in the South China Sea continues to heighten, and this was cause by territorial issues. There is an issue occurred on April 8, 2012, concerning about the territorial scope of the Philippines, and that issue is about China claiming that the Scarborough Shoal is part of their territorial scope. Now, the Philippines is now facing a great threat not only to its economic position, but also the safety of its citizen.

Philippine Navy surveyed the Scarborough Shoal, believing that the said island is legally owned by the Philippines. After surveying the area, the Navy apprehended eight Chinese fishing vessels for illegally collecting corals, giant clams, and sharks. The Republic of China then heard about the news of its citizen was apprehended at the Scarborough Shoal. This then cause tension between these two countries, by which the two claims the island as part of their own. This started the so-called 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff.

The incident caused a massive threat to the economic status of Philippines. There were protests occurred in these two countries, and products that are being imported and exported are greatly affected. There is a fear that the time will come that the economic connection between these two nations will be cut off. Not to mention, China is the country who contributes the most in our economy. Surely, the dispute over the Scarborough Shoal will greatly affect the economic position of Philippines.

II. The definition of Philippine territory

It is stated in the Philippine constitution that, “the national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or...