evidence: Scarborough Shoal is a rock in the South China Sea, approximately 120 nautical miles west of the Philippine island of Luzon. There are no structures built on Scarborough Shoal, but the feature is effectively controlled by China, which has maintained a constant coast guard presence at the feature since 2012. U.S. Board of Geographic Names: Scarborough Shoal [...] A Chinese coast guard vessel in pursuit of a Philippine fishing boat. November 18, 2015