Duterte deal with China over Scarborough Shoal exposes US failure. CNN

The Scarborough Shoal modus vivendi as seen by a CNN analyst who sees PRRD and China as co winners at the expense of US. This IMHO is the consequence of Obama's vacillation. The situation could change with a more assertive US President come January. I expect the Pentagon to have a bigger voice whoever wins. I quote from the article:

"His explosive talk of "separation" with America, realignment with China, and an "independent" foreign policy struck exactly the tone Beijing wanted to hear.

"His readiness to enter into bilateral negotiations with Beijing over the South China Sea also brought Manila in line with a core Chinese demand.

Lifting the Scarborough blockade, then, is China's gift to Duterte for his sustained attack on America."

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/31/opinions/philippines-china-us-scarborough-shoal-south-china-sea/

Duterte deal with China over Scarborough Shoal exposes US failure 

By Ashley Townshend

Updated 1223 GMT (2023 HKT) October 31, 2016