Subject: Re: Ayungan Shoal
Marcos has been showing a LOT of restraint. I think he fears a larger conflict with China, even though we would be obligated to side with Manila by treaty.

Truth. Ninoy got run off by the Chinese when he made a show. Ayungan is just an old boat run on the shore of a tiny island that serves as an outpost for the Filipinos. But it lays claim, and the Chinese lay claim to everything within their nine dash line. The Philippines is allowing the US to gear up their northern islands so the US can protect the rear of Taiwan's island and china doesn't like that.