𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖? The earliest recorded name of what is now widely known as Scarborough Shoal was 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐭 a term derived from local Filipino language roots meaning “𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫.” The name reflected how early seafarers regarded the rocky atoll dangerous and intimidating due to its shallow reefs and unpredictable waters.
Panacot later became associated with Bajo de Masinloc, the traditional Spanish-era name for the shoal. Historical accounts indicate that even as late as 𝟏𝟗𝟑𝟕, both the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 recognized that Panacot referred to Bajo de Masinloc. This historical linkage has been cited in discussions about sovereignty and naming conventions over the area.
