Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Philippine Coast Guard photo release

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday confirmed that a Chinese floating platform previously monitored inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) is no longer there.</p><p>In a statement, the NTF-WPS said Philippine authorities verified the removal through maritime domain awareness patrols and monitoring operations conducted on June 17.</p><p>Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the disassembled platform was loaded on a Chinese research vessel that left Bajo de Masinloc.</p><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/1781683749751HK_85Q1bwAA1iP-.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Philippine Coast Guard handout photo</span></span></span></div><p>He also said &quot;it would be a good idea for the Chinese Embassy to share&quot; data from the floating platform, which it has said was a &quot;temporary research facility&quot;.</p><p>He said it would be a good way for China to prove that its activities at the shoal are really &quot;for the conservation or preservation of the environment and for the benefit of the world.</p><p>In a statement, deputy embassy spokesperson Guo Wei said China had the right to conduct research activities in its waters and that the research activity has been &quot;successfully completed.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NTF-WPS: WE WILL CONTINUE PATROLS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA</strong></div><p>The Philippine government had earlier filed a diplomatic protest after the platform was detected within the shoal, which Manila considers part of its territory.</p><div><a 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>“While we take note of the removal, we reiterate our principled and unyielding position: Bajo de Masinloc is and will always be an integral part of Philippine territory,” the NTF-WPS said.</p><p>The NTF-WPS maintained that the Philippines has “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over Bajo de Masinloc, citing historical records, official documents, surveys, and continued acts of administration.</p><p>It also stressed that only the Philippines has the right to construct structures and carry out activities, including marine scientific research, within the shoal and its territorial sea.</p><p>The discovery of the floating platform had raised concerns among Philippine authorities, who said any unauthorized activity in the area violates the country&#x27;s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.</p><p>Despite the platform&#x27;s removal, the NTF-WPS said government agencies would continue to maintain a regular presence in and around Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>“The NTF-WPS, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and other relevant agencies will continue to conduct regular maritime patrols, maritime domain awareness operations, and lawful presence activities in and around Bajo de Masinloc,” it said.</p><p>The task force also called on foreign entities to respect international law and refrain from activities that infringe on Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“The Philippines remains fully committed to protecting its territorial integrity, upholding the rules-based international order, and defending its legitimate entitlements,” it said.</p><div><a 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">Chinese research ship tows floating platform in and out of Bajo de Masinloc</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/15/china-floating-structure-may-be-used-to-transform-scarborough-into-artificial-island-expert-1209">China floating structure may be used to transform Scarborough into artificial island—expert</a></div>

<p>The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday confirmed that a Chinese floating platform previously monitored inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) is no longer there.</p>

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday confirmed that a Chinese floating platform previously monitored inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) is no longer there.

NTF-WPS confirms removal of Chinese floating platform from Bajo de Masinloc

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NTF-WPS confirms removal of Chinese floating platform from Bajo de Masinloc

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2026 02:26 PM PHT

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Updated June 17, 2026 04:16 PM PHT

Read More:

Chinese research vessels

floating platform

maritime domain awareness flight

Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

West Philippine Sea

removal

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