China, Respect Philippine Sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal

Scarborough Shoal (or Bajo de Masinloc) is only 124 nautical miles from the Masinloc town in Zambales, but is 500 nautical miles away from Hainan, the nearest province of China.April 8, 2012 - a Philippine Navy vessel observed eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored inside the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal) lagoon while it was patrolling the area. The cutter BRP Gregorio del Pilar was deployed. Two days later, the Del Pilar sent a boarding team to inspect the fishing boats. They found illegally collected corrals, giant clams, and live sharks inside the boats -- all illegal cargo under Philippine law.Before the team from BRP Del Pilar could arrest the fishermen with illegal cargo, two Chinese surveillance ships moved into positions between the Del Pilar and the fishing boats, causing a standoff.Since then, Chinese navy ships have fired on and harassed unarmed Philippine fishing boats and exploration vessels, forcing them to withdraw. Chinese navy ships have dropped steel posts and navigation buoys with Chinese markings in the water.WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, call on the People's Republic of China to withdraw their navy and civilian ships from Scarborough Shoal, and to respect the international laws of the sea.We are against any acts of aggression or violence by any and all countries involved in this standoff. We believe that a resolution based on mutual respect and good will can be achieved.By signing this petition, we stand with peoples from around the world who believe in freedom and the right of every sovereign nation to protect its resources and boundaries. Scarborough Shoal has always been, and always will be -- part of Philippine Territory and under Philippine Sovereignty!