The Philippines has lodged diplomatic protests against China over the presence of a semi-permanent floating platform and other structures at Scarborough Shoal, saying these violate the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the DFA has undertaken diplomatic action, including several demarches and a diplomatic protest, after Philippine authorities monitored the Chinese platform inside the shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
“Only the Philippines has the right to place or construct structures and conduct activities in Bajo de Masinloc,” Villanueva said during a press briefing.
He said the continued presence of the platform without Philippine consent or authorization violates the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The arbitral ruling invalidated China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea.
Villanueva also said China’s action was inconsistent with its commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
“We therefore urge China to withdraw and remove the platform structures from Bajo de Masinloc, cease similar actions that violate Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in and within the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, and comply with its obligations under international law,” Villanueva said.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the movable floating platform appeared to have been deployed by China as part of marine scientific research in the contested area.
Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the structure was brought to the area by two Chinese research vessels earlier monitored near the shoal.
He identified the vessels as Yue Zhan Yu 06 and Yue Xia Yu Zhi, which were first sighted through satellite imagery on May 25 and later confirmed by PCG aircraft during several maritime domain awareness flights.
Tarriela said the platform was initially seen at the opening of the shoal. By May 31, it had been positioned inside Scarborough Shoal, supported by two service boats manned by at least 15 personnel.
Buoys and antennas were also monitored in the area.
“By May 30, we did another MDA flight, and we documented the presence of Chinese nationals standing on the deck of the movable platform,” Tarriela said.
He said Chinese research vessels remain under monitoring in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal.
“So, we can also say that they are probably conducting illegal marine scientific research in Bajo de Masinloc and that the platform is also being used by those marine scientists,” Tarriela said.
Asked what specific research was being conducted, Tarriela said authorities have yet to determine it.
“As of this time, I don’t know. That would be speculative on my part if I would say they are doing fisheries research,” he said.
National Maritime Council spokesperson Alexander Lopez did not directly answer when asked whether the Philippine government could legally remove the platform, saying any action would depend on evidence and assessment.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Armed Forces spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the military would continue to monitor the situation.
“There are different options available, and they will be used depending on the guidance by the government through the NTF-WPS and the NMC,” Trinidad said.
Lopez said it would be speculative to conclude that the platform’s presence was preparatory to construction, but stressed that the government would continue defending the country’s interests.
“The Philippines will remain steadfast in protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” Lopez said.
“We will continue to pursue lawful, peaceful, and rules-based approaches when safeguarding our national interests,” he added.
Tarriela said authorities have not monitored any dredging vessels, which are used for land reclamation, in Bajo de Masinloc.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces reported a slight decrease in the number of Chinese vessels monitored in four key features in the West Philippine Sea.
The military said 41 Chinese vessels were sighted from June 2 to 8, down by three from the previous week.
Of the total, 16 Chinese vessels were monitored at Ayungin Shoal, nine near Pag-asa Island, 13 at Scarborough Shoal and three at Escoda Shoal.