<P> In late 2016, following meetings between the Philippine president Duterte and his PRC counterparts, the PRC' verbally' allowed Filipino fishermen to access the shoals for fishing, sparking criticism as' allowing' would mean China is implying that it owns the territory . In January 2018, it was revealed that for every 3,000 peso worth of fish catch by Filipino fisherfolks, China siphoned them in exchange for' two bottles of mineral water' worth 20 pesos . The revelations led to public unrest against China and the Duterte - administered Philippine government . Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte fired back against his fellow Filipinos, including those from Zambales, saying that China's acts were' fine' as they were' only barter' . </P> <P> In February 19, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte told an audience of Chinese businessmen that he intends to make the Philippines a' province of China', sparking outrage nationwide . Various rallies commenced afterwards against his administration, however, the rallies were blocked by the police and the military . In May 15, 2018, Duterte said that he will not be ousted from office as he has the backing of the People's Republic of China, as stated by Xi jinping himself . In June 14, 2018, China's destruction of Scarborough Shoal's reefs surged to an extent which they became visible via Google Earth and Philippine satellites, as confirmed by the University of the Philippines Diliman . </P> <P> The shoal and its surrounding area are rich fishing grounds . The atoll's lagoon provides some protection for fishing boats during inclement weather . </P> <P> There are thick layers of guano lying on the rocks in the area . Several diving excursions and amateur radio operations, DX - peditions (1994, 1995, 1997 and 2007), have been carried out in the area . </P>

Talk about the territorial disputes of china and philippines in the panatag shoal