ASSIGNMENT IN READINGS IN

PHILIPPINE HISTORY

MEMBERS:

o ALLAB JANELLE
o BUERGO, BERNARD
o DE GUZMAN CLARENCE
o GARCES MARK JAYSON
o LATOZA LYNMEL
o MADES GISELLE
o MANGUERRA ERICK
o PAMARAN MICHAEL
o REYES YVETTE
o VITTO RODOLFO III
The Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in

the Philippines, is a small, triangular-shaped landmass situated in the South China Sea.

This disputed feature has gained international attention due to its strategic location and its

role in the territorial disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's

Republic of China. The standoff between the Philippines and China over the Scarborough

Shoal began in 2012 when the Philippine Navy attempted to apprehend eight mainland

Chinese fishing vessels near the shoal. This incident marked the start of a prolonged and

complex dispute that remains unresolved to this day. One key element in this dispute is

the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS is a

critical international treaty that sets the legal framework for the use and management of

the world's oceans and their resources. It delineates maritime zones, defines the rights and

responsibilities of coastal states, and establishes guidelines for resolving conflicts related

to maritime boundaries. In the case of the Scarborough Shoal, the 1982 UNCLOS plays a

pivotal role. Both the Philippines and China have invoked UNCLOS in support of their

claims. The convention provides rules and principles regarding territorial waters,

exclusive economic zones, and the rights of states in these areas. These rules help define

the respective claims and rights of the disputing parties. China has asserted its historical

claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, based on

a "U-shaped line" drawn in 1947. This historical assertion aligns with China's

interpretation of its rights under UNCLOS. Conversely, the Philippines has argued for its

rights under UNCLOS, particularly emphasizing the principle of the exclusive economic

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zone, which allows coastal states certain rights over the natural resources within 200

nautical miles of their coastlines. The standoff at Scarborough Shoal underscores the

complex interplay between historical claims, international law, and geopolitical interests

in the South China Sea. Both countries have engaged in diplomatic and legal processes to

advance their positions, further emphasizing the importance of international agreements

like UNCLOS in addressing such disputes. In summary, the Scarborough Shoal is a

disputed feature in the South China Sea that has been at the center of tensions between

the Philippines and China since 2012. The 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea is a

critical reference point in this dispute, as it provides the legal framework for

understanding the rights and claims of both parties in this complex and ongoing standoff.

The Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in

the Philippines, is a small, triangular-shaped landmass situated in the South China Sea.

This disputed feature has gained international attention due to its strategic location and its

role in the territorial disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's

Republic of China. The standoff between the Philippines and China over the Scarborough

Shoal began in 2012 when the Philippine Navy attempted to apprehend eight mainland

Chinese fishing vessels near the shoal. This incident marked the start of a prolonged and

complex dispute that remains unresolved to this day. One key element in this dispute is

the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS is a

critical international treaty that sets the legal framework for the use and management of

the world's oceans and their resources. It delineates maritime zones, defines the rights and

3
responsibilities of coastal states, and establishes guidelines for resolving conflicts related

to maritime boundaries. In the case of the Scarborough Shoal, the 1982 UNCLOS plays a

pivotal role. Both the Philippines and China have invoked UNCLOS in support of their

claims. The convention provides rules and principles regarding territorial waters,

exclusive economic zones , and the rights of states in these areas. These rules help define

the respective claims and rights of the disputing parties. China has asserted its historical

claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, based on

a "U-shaped line" drawn in 1947. This historical assertion aligns with China's

interpretation of its rights under UNCLOS. Conversely, the Philippines has argued for its

rights under UNCLOS, particularly emphasizing the principle of the exclusive economic

zone, which allows coastal states certain rights over the natural resources within 200

nautical miles of their coastlines. The standoff at Scarborough Shoal underscores the

complex interplay between historical claims, international law, and geopolitical interests

in the South China Sea. Both countries have engaged in diplomatic and legal processes to

advance their positions, further emphasizing the importance of international agreements

like UNCLOS in addressing such disputes. In summary, the Scarborough Shoal is a

disputed feature in the South China Sea that has been at the center of tensions between

the Philippines and China since 2012. The 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea is a

critical reference point in this dispute, as it provides the legal framework for

understanding the rights and claims of both parties in this complex and ongoing standoff

4
Both the Philippines and China have invoked historical documents, maps, and legal

principles to support their claims over the Scarborough Shoal (also known as Huangyan

Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines). Some of the common sources and

arguments include:

For the Philippines:

1.UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea): The Philippines has

argued that the Scarborough Shoal is within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as

defined by UNCLOS, which grants it certain rights over the waters and resources in the

region.

2. Historical Maps: The Philippines has pointed to historical maps and documents that it

claims demonstrate its sovereignty or traditional fishing rights in the area.

3.Geographic Proximity: The Philippines argues that Scarborough Shoal is closer to

its territory, specifically the island of Luzon, than to China's mainland, making it part of

the Philippines' continental shelf.

For China:

1. *Historical Claims: China has cited historical records, such as ancient maps and

documents, to assert its historical claims over the Scarborough Shoal dating back

centuries.

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2. *Nine-Dash Line: China has referred to the controversial "Nine-Dash Line," a

demarcation line that it uses to claim vast maritime territories in the South China Sea,

including the Scarborough Shoal.

3. *Sovereignty Claims: China asserts that the Scarborough Shoal has been historically

under Chinese sovereignty and that it has exercised jurisdiction and control over the area.

Determining which sources are primary would require an in-depth analysis of the specific

documents and historical records each country has presented in their claims. Primary

sources would typically include original historical documents, maps, or legal treaties that

directly support their assertions. These primary sources can be subjected to legal and

historical scrutiny by relevant international bodies or dispute resolution mechanisms to

determine their validity in the context of international law.

References:

 BATIS Sources in Philippine History

 Jose Victor Torres (multi-awarded writer, playwright, and essayist. He is full

professor at the History Department of the De La Salle University-Manila)

 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

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