Marilyn Cahatol

Chinese vessels and a floating structure, which were first recorded on May 25, 2026,  are seen inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 15, 2026. The presence of the structure is seen as part of China's oceanographic and marine research studies that could be a preparatory study for building structures or transforming the reef into an artificial island, according to maritime expert Jay Batongbacal.  Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

BAJO DE MASINLOC- CHINA FLOATING STRUCTURE

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/178159652328320260615-bajo-de-masinloc-china-floating-structure-BDava5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chinese vessels and a floating structure, which were first recorded on May 25, 2026,  are seen inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 15, 2026. The presence of the structure is seen as part of China&#x27;s oceanographic and marine research studies that could be a preparatory study for building structures or transforming the reef into an artificial island, according to maritime expert Jay Batongbacal. <em>Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said data being gathered through Chinese research activities in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal could have military, environmental or economic applications.</p><p>AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said marine scientific research can provide information that may be used for a variety of purposes.</p><p>“Any marine scientific research conducted could provide information for one particular nation, so all these can be used either for economic, environmental, and even military purposes,” Trinidad said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.</p><p>The remarks came as Philippine authorities continue to monitor Chinese research vessels and a <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/15/chinese-research-ship-tows-floating-platform-in-and-out-of-bajo-de-masinloc-1905">movable floating platform</a> inside Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>The platform, first detected on May 25, has been observed being moved to different locations in and out of the shoal.</p><p>During a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Monday, authorities saw a Chinese research vessel towing the platform with the assistance of a service boat. The platform had just exited the shoal before it was brought back inside.</p><p>Despite questions over the platform’s purpose, military officials said it would be premature to conclude whether the activities are linked to possible reclamation activities in the area.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/pcg-gives-details-on-chinese-floating-structure-seen-near-bajo-de-masinloc-1301">PCG gives details on Chinese &#x27;floating structure&#x27; seen near Bajo de Masinloc</a></div><p>“It’s very hard to speculate already as of now, that’s why your armed forces is continuing monitoring it because we are, of course, studying it properly, investigating on it, on the movements and the activities there, because the data or whatever activities they are conducting there would definitely lead to the actions of your armed forces,” Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez told reporters.</p><p>“It would be speculative if we would say already that it is for the construction of a certain pier,” she added.</p><p>Trinidad, meanwhile, stressed the importance of documenting developments in the West Philippine Sea, citing lessons learned from China’s activities in Panganiban Reef or Mischief Reef in the 1990s.</p><p>“The AFP will not stop documenting because… this particular documentation will not disappear. We will not let the same incident that happened on Mischief Reef in 1995 when it was reported as a simple shelter, and then later became a military base,” he emphasized.</p><p>The AFP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) continue to monitor and document developments in Bajo de Masinloc as part of a whole-of-government approach in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/pcg-challenges-chinese-research-vessel-off-pag-asa-island-1929">PCG challenges Chinese research vessel off Pag-asa Island</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0cZhogZQEo?si=tz_2v61HTcOXq5ZL" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said data being gathered through Chinese research activities in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal could have military, environmental or economic applications.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said data being gathered through Chinese research activities in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal could have military, environmental or economic applications.

AFP: Chinese research activities in Bajo de Masinloc may have military, environmental, economic applications

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AFP: Chinese research activities in Bajo de Masinloc may have military, environmental, economic applications

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 16, 2026 04:06 PM PHT

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Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

West Philippine Sea

Armed Forces of the Philippines

floating platform

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