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| Gregorio del Pilar in USCG Colors |
By David Axe
The just ended standoff between China and the Philippines over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea is a painful reminder of Manila’s maritime weakness.
On April 10, sailors from the Philippine Navy warship Gregorio del Pilar attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen inside the Scarborough Shoal, which both Manila and Beijing claim. Two Chinese government vessels intervened and blocked the arrest. Shortly thereafter, Manila pulled the Gregorio del Pilar away from the shoal and sent in a smaller vessel instead as more Chinese ships and aircraft arrived.
Read the full story at The Diplomat