President Aquino yesterday said the Scarborough Shoal is within the Philippine's 200 mile exclusive economic zone which means that it is very much part of the country. Aquino talked about the geographical location of Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, after he was asked whether the Philippines still owns the shoal, considering China has had virtual control over it since middle of 2102 after a standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels in April that year. In an interview in San Jose in Tarlac, Aquino said there is no Chinese reclamation work at the shoal despite recent reports of China's plan to start some activities there.

Montemayor, J. (2016, May 27). Aquino: Scarborough still part of PH territory. Malaya Business Insight, p. B6.