Evidence abounds that Manila remains obsessed with playing the role of troublemaker in the South China Sea. In its latest attempt to raise tensions over Huangyan Island, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that his country may ask the United States to deploy spy planes over the South China Sea.

This clearly shows Manila is determined to drag Washington into its maritime disputes with China. By seeking backup from the US in its quarrel with Beijing, Manila has ignored the goodwill shown by Beijing and is trying hard to complicate the issue.

High-ranking US officials have made it clear that their country does not want to take sides in the South China Sea issue. However, despite Washington's denial that its strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region is a move to contain China, Manila has chosen to try and embroil the US in its provoking of China.