China splits Philippine politics

From the left-oriented Asia Times (Oct 10): China splits Philippine politics

Rising diplomatic tensions with China have sown divisions inside the Philippine ruling establishment, a widening and potentially destabilizing rift that has split President Benigno Aquino's administration. While Aquino has publicly taken a hard line in response to Beijing's perceived provocations in the South China Sea, he has privately bid to use back diplomatic channels to maintain crucial bilateral trade and investment ties. The domestic infighting comes in response to strained bilateral relations with China that some fear could break into open confrontation without a diplomatic course shift. That risk has risen in the context of America's "pivot" towards Asia and as Aquino makes strategic overtures towards the United States, including calls for more military assistance and the provision of spy planes to monitor China's naval activities in adjacent waters....

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NJ10Ae02.html