The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Tuesday confirmed the removal of a floating platform previously monitored inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc, following recent maritime surveillance operations conducted by Philippine authorities.
Based on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) patrols carried out on June 17, 2026, Philippine monitoring assets observed that the structure had already been taken out of the area. Authorities had earlier lodged a formal diplomatic protest upon its initial detection.
While welcoming the development, the task force reiterated Manila’s firm position that Bajo de Masinloc remains an integral part of Philippine territory and falls under the country’s sovereign jurisdiction.
“The Philippines has indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc,” the NTF-WPS said, citing historical records, government surveys, official correspondence, and long-standing administrative practice as basis for its claim.
The task force stressed that only the Philippines has the authority to construct or deploy any structures in the area, as well as to conduct scientific or maritime activities within its waters.
The NTF-WPS, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and other agencies, said it will continue regular patrols and monitoring operations in and around the shoal.
It also called on foreign actors to respect international law and refrain from actions that may infringe on Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction.
The Philippines, the task force added, remains committed to defending its territorial integrity and upholding a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea.