It is the unexpected ruling in 2016 on the Aquino 3rd regime's arbitration suit against China that continues to encourage the Chinese to block Philippine boats from sending supplies to military personnel in Ayungin Shoal, as they did last week, when they even reportedly used water hoses to drive the Philippine vessels away. Aquino's US lawyers filed the suit in January 2013 — very foolishly, in hindsight — asking the arbitral tribunal to rule as illegal similar Chinese Coast Guard actions way back on March 9, 2014 to prevent Filipino boats from resupplying the marine detachment at Ayungin Shoal.

Tiglao, R. D. (2021, November 22). Aquino 3rd arbitration suit induced Chinese moves on Ayungin Shoal. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A5.