The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic action against China on Tuesday, June 9, after a manned floating structure was detected inside the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The country’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea confirmed the structure’s presence and described it as an illegal installation within Philippine maritime zones.
The task force confirmed a floating structure measuring 6 by 6 meters, featuring what appeared to be an antenna, inside the disputed shoal. The structure was initially spotted at the entrance to the shoal and was later observed inside its lagoon. Armed forces imagery cited by the task force showed the platform appeared to be manned.
The DFA said the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea confirmed reports earlier disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. regarding the floating installation. General Brawner told Naval News that the military had monitored a suspected small structure measuring about 6 by 6 square meters inside the shoal, adding: “We’re still investigating whether it’s floating or fixed.”
The task force issued a firm statement on Manila’s position. “The Philippine government will continue to take appropriate actions consistent with international law and in defense of the country’s national interests,” it said, adding that the protection of Manila’s sovereignty and jurisdiction “remains a paramount consideration.”
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30 that he had received raw information indicating the presence of the structure on the shoal. The task force did not specify when its surveillance images were taken.
Beijing pushed back the same day. China’s foreign ministry reiterated the country’s “indisputable sovereignty” over Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, and its adjacent waters, saying China’s activities there, including scientific research, are legitimate.
“China urges the Philippines to stop its maritime infringements, provocations and inflammatory hype,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference when asked about the diplomatic action.
The task force said it is continuing to monitor the structure and assess its purpose. It insisted that Scarborough “is part of the Philippines and within its maritime zones as recognized by international law.”
Satellite Evidence and Monitoring
Satellite images obtained by Reuters on June 5 confirmed the presence of a structure at the lagoon’s entrance, but later images showed it was no longer present. Despite that, the latest imagery obtained by the AFP showed personnel stationed on the platform, while Philippine Coast Guard monitoring indicated that the structure remained within the shoal, with individuals observed on board.
The apparent discrepancy between the satellite imagery and the coast guard’s on-the-ground monitoring has not been publicly resolved. The task force said it is coordinating with relevant government agencies to determine the structure’s nature, purpose, and potential implications.
Regional and Strategic Impact
Scarborough is a prime fishing spot located 200 km off the western coast of the Philippines. It is also 874 km from Hainan, China’s nearest landmass. Its proximity to Philippine shores makes any permanent or semi-permanent installation there a direct concern for Filipino fishing communities and maritime security planners.
Philippine and U.S. forces conducted a maritime cooperative activity near Scarborough Shoal from May 26 to 30. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter joined the joint patrol for the first time, represented by the Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett. That exercise ran parallel to the period when the structure was first spotted, adding a layer of strategic context to Manila’s response.
The Philippines has previously called China’s plans for a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal a “clear pretext for occupation,” and Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner has said his country “will not allow” what happened at Mischief Reef to happen at Scarborough. China occupied Mischief Reef in the 1990s and subsequently built a military base there.
Background
Since 2012, China has maintained a constant deployment of coastguard and maritime militia ships in the area. Sovereignty over Scarborough has not been established, but a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled largely in favour of the Philippines, saying China’s blockade of the shoal violated international law and that the area was a traditional fishing ground for several countries. China does not recognise the 2016 ruling. Manila refers to its claimed maritime territory in the area as the West Philippine Sea. The latest incident is one in a pattern of confrontations at the shoal, including China’s installation of a floating barrier in 2023, which Philippine forces removed in a coast guard operation ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
What Happens Next
The task force said it will continue close monitoring of the shoal and coordinate with Philippine government agencies to assess the installation. The DFA has not publicly disclosed the specific diplomatic instrument it filed — whether a formal protest note, a summoning of the Chinese ambassador, or another channel — though it confirmed action was taken on Tuesday. The task force said the Philippine government will continue to take appropriate actions consistent with international law. No timeline for a formal Chinese response to the diplomatic filing has been announced. General Brawner’s office has not confirmed whether additional patrols or surveillance flights have been scheduled in response to the latest development.
