Protesters, one wearing a mask of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, stands behind as others tear off a placard during a protest outside the Philippines Consulate in Kong Hong Friday, May 11, 2012. The monthlong standoff between China and the Philippines over a remote South China Sea shoal is snowballing with hints of economic retaliation and sharpening public opinion on both sides, possibly narrowing the space for a hoped-for negotiated settlement.