It seems Manila is once again trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

Instead of pouring oil to calm troubled waters it has raised the temperature in the South China Sea to an even higher degree by declaring that "Panatag Shoal" will now be its official name for China's Huangyan Island, which was known by several names in the Philippines.

Edwin Lacierda, the presidential spokesman, said that the name had been chosen "for brevity" in a news conference.