Philippines stops protest trip to shoal disputed with China

MASINLOC, Philippines–Philippine President Benigno Aquino told protesters to abort their plan to sail Friday to a disputed South China Sea shoal also claimed by China, the leader of the group said.

Aquino’s last-minute telephone call caused the protesters to call off their trip to Scarborough Shoal, protest leader Nicanor Faeldon told reporters after speaking to the president on his mobile phone.

“I received a call from the president requesting the postponement of this voyage…. I consulted the group and we agreed to concur with the wisdom of the government to postpone it,” he added.