Filipino fishermen thanked President Duterte profusely when they were finally allowed to return to their old fishing grounds at Scarborough Shoal — known to us as Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc — last month after four years that they were blocked by Chinese vessels claiming the area as Chinese territory. The President had just been to Beijing on a state visit and as a sign of goodwill, China allowed the fishermen back to Scarborough. During the state visit, the President had pointedly declared he was not raising any legal issue of jurisdiction or sovereignty. He was just going to appeal for the fishermen so they could resume their livelihood.

A Scarborough EO might provoke a reaction. (2016, November 26). Manila Bulletin, p. 10.