Marilyn Cahatol

The crew from the F/B John, a fishing vessel taking part in Atin Ito's civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea, distributes gasoline and food packs to fishermen in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178011426186820240515-atin-ito-wps-MT-31.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The crew from the F/B John, a fishing vessel taking part in Atin Ito&#x27;s civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea, distributes gasoline and food packs to fishermen in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on May 15, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The government is monitoring “raw information” on possible new structures in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.</p><p>Speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Teodoro said the situation in the area remains dynamic.</p><p>He added that while the developments are still minor, they are already subject to monitoring.</p><p>“May raw information. Actually, sinasabi ko, ang Bajo de Masinloc ay dynamic ang area, so bagama’t maliliit pa ang mga nangyayari, binabantayan na ito,” the official said.</p><p>Bajo de Masinloc, which is located 124 nautical miles west of mainland Zambales, is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic.</p><p>It is also 472 nautical miles from Hainan, China’s nearest land mass.</p><p>The shoal has been under Beijing’s control since 2012 despite a 2106 arbitral ruling that Bajo de Masinloc — also called Scarborough or Panatag shoal — is a traditional fishing ground, access to which should not be restricted.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/dnd-afp-reject-china-s-claims-assert-sovereignty-over-west-philippine-sea-features-1138">DND, AFP reject China’s claims, assert sovereignty over West Philippine Sea features</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EW_9r0jjg4Y?si=cVMUJnDd6FMCdWuJ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The government is monitoring “raw information” on possible new structures in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.</p>

The government is monitoring “raw information” on possible new structures in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

PH checking reports of new structures at Bajo de Masinloc — Teodoro

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PH checking reports of new structures at Bajo de Masinloc — Teodoro

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 30, 2026 12:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

West Philippine Sea

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

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