# Scarborough Shoal standoff (8 April 2012)

URL: https://allhistories.com/philippines/timeline/2012-scarborough-shoal-standoff
Location: Scarborough Shoal
Themes: South China Sea, Territory

The standoff began on 8 April 2012, when a Philippine Navy surveillance plane spotted eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored at Scarborough Shoal, an atoll claimed by both countries. The warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar was sent to survey the area, and on 10 April its boarding team reported finding illegally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks on a fishing boat. Two Chinese maritime surveillance ships blocked the attempt to arrest the fishermen. Later, Chinese government ships turned away Filipino vessels. Under a 2012 deal mediated by the United States, both sides were to withdraw until ownership was settled. The Philippines said it complied and withdrew, while China kept its presence and, by July 2012, had erected a barrier at the shoal's entrance. Scarborough Shoal has since been controlled by China, and Filipino fishermen have faced restrictions there. After exhausting diplomatic options, the Philippines initiated arbitration in January 2013, and the tribunal ruled in 2016 that the shoal is a traditional fishing ground for several countries. The incident remains the most important Philippine dispute with China. At this point in the timeline (2012), President Benigno Aquino III (30 June 2010 – 30 June 2016) led the Republic of the Philippines.

## Why it matters
It cost the Philippines practical access to a rich fishing ground off Luzon. The standoff directly led to the arbitration case.

Ruler at the Time: [Benigno Aquino III](https://allhistories.com/philippines/rulers/benigno-aquino-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Scarborough Shoal standoff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Shoal_standoff)
- [Wikipedia — South China Sea Arbitration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_China_Sea_Arbitration)