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Philippines Warns China Against Potential Militarization of Bajo de Masinloc Shoal After Floating Structure Discovery

⁨Article by F. Palafox

Published on June 16, 2026 6:30AM


MANILA — The Philippines is closely monitoring a newly discovered Chinese floating structure at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), fearing it could be a prelude to occupation and eventual militarization of the disputed atoll in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).


"We have learned our history kung paano nag-o-operate ang Chinese Communist Party. We are keeping a very close eye on developments sa Bajo de Masinloc," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Navy Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. ¹


Historical Pattern Raises Concerns


Trinidad highlighted China's previous pattern of behavior in the WPS, noting that Beijing's militarization of features like Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) began with seemingly benign fishers' shelters and small concrete structures that were later transformed into massive artificial islands . ¹


"Sinasabi nila na hindi ito mami-militarize, but in 2016, 'yong unang military aircraft ay nag-land sa Mischief or Panganiban Reef," Trinidad recalled, pointing out that China initially claimed it would not militarize the reef before military aircraft landed there in 2016. ¹


The AFP's guidance remains "very clear", to defend the Philippines' territories down to its last square inch. ¹ ⁶


Expert Warns of Serious Threat


Maritime Law Expert Professor Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, warned that China could transform Scarborough Shoal into another militarized feature within a year if it intends to do so. "Sa ngayon ang sinasabi daw nila ay scientific research daw ang dahilan, pero ang naaalala natin agad kapag sinabi nila iyon ay iyon din ang sinabi nila bago nila kunin ang Fiery Cross Reef at tayuan ng mga permanenteng istruktura at ngayon ay malaking artificial island na," Batongbacal said. ¹


He noted that China's construction of seven (7) artificial islands in the WPS all happened within two (2) years. "Alam natin na once inumpisahan nila 'yan kayang kaya nila iyan, within a year matatakpan na nila ang Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)," he added . ¹


Batongbacal emphasized that militarizing Bajo de Masinloc, situated merely 124 nautical miles off mainland Zambales, would pose a "serious threat" to the Philippines' national security . ¹


Current Status of the Floating Structure


As of June 15, 2026, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the floating platform remains monitored inside Scarborough Shoal's lagoon . ¹ The structure measures approximately 6 by 6 meters (about 30 square meters in deck area) and appears to have an antenna, with six (6) people observed on top during a Philippine Air Force flight. ² ⁴ ⁵


Chinese vessels and the floating structure were first recorded on May 25, 2026. Maritime experts view the presence as part of China's oceanographic and marine research studies that could be preparatory work for building structures or transforming the reef into an artificial island. ¹


Diplomatic Probes and Political Responses


The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued several demarches and filed a formal diplomatic protest against China over the structure . DFA spokeswoman Analyn Ratonel confirmed Manila's diplomatic action, stating the structure is located at the entrance of a lagoon once used by Filipino fishermen. ¹


"The DFA has undertaken the appropriate diplomatic action, such as several demarches and the issuance of a formal protest, against the structure in Bajo de Masinloc," the DFA said. ²


Proposed Calibrated Responses


Retired Philippine Navy Rear Admiral and Professor of praxis at the Ateneo School of Government, Rommel Ong, suggested the government could take calibrated Philippine action to deescalate or enforce a "red line" on Chinese activities. One possible approach would be enhancing presence along the route between Hainan and Bajo de Masinloc, where logistical support for Chinese activities could originate. ¹


Batongbacal noted the government could also tap security arrangements with Japan and Australia, though triggering the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States would require declaring the Chinese activity an act of aggression. "Sa ngayon dahil ang current situation ay puwede pang i-atras, puwede pang tanggalin ang mga struktura doon, parang hindi pa timely para i-invoke ang MDT," Batongbacal said, noting the platform could still be moved. ¹


China's Position


The Chinese embassy in Manila repeated Beijing's "indisputable" claim to Bajo de Masinloc as part of its "inherent territory". Embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng stated it is "fully within China's sovereign rights to carry out activities including scientific research at Huangyan Dao," using China's name for Bajo de Masinloc. ¹


PCG spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, emphasized that the country's maritime transparency efforts will remain crucial in exposing China's activities at Bajo de Masinloc. ¹

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