Sort of like the weaker critter separated from the herd that the lion will attack
Well, I learned about the Spratley Islands many years ago, as I was a DX hound in amateur radio.
There was an expedition to put Spratleys on the air...I do not remember the year, but probably 20-30 years or more in the past. The call sign had the prefix 1S, but any call starting with “1” seems to be unofficial.
I no longer remember who authorized them or gave them the call sign, but I am somewhat sure it was the Philippines.
The DXpedition team was blown out of the water and one or more were killed by pirates.
Not part of this story, but related, piracy on the seas, especially in Africa/Asia, is a very serious problem, and
international law seems to prohibit ships and crews from
protecting themselves.
It is not just the US that is being subverted by the criminals, and their paid assistance by various countries.