The waters inside the shoal are calm, betraying the tension between Filipino fishermen and Chinese coast guards. Small fishing boats can sail inside the shoal, but anything bigger is barred by the crew of a Chinese Coast Guard ship guarding its mouth, an apparent concessions given by China to Filipino fishermen following President Duterte's state visit to Beijing last month. “We were happy to be back here. Fishing is hard but this is the only way we know to earn a living. This is what we do to support our family,” Achina said. “Panatag should be open [to all], and be guarded against illegal fishing.”

Reyes, R. (2016, November 6). 'We are happy to be back, Panatag should be open to all'. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A8.