The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Wednesday that a Chinese floating platform spotted at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal has been successfully removed. This development follows the Philippines' diplomatic protest directed at China regarding the platform's presence, which was detected weeks earlier.
Heightened Tensions in the West Philippine Sea
Bajo de Masinloc is and will always be an integral part of Philippine territory.
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS)
The NTF-WPS confirmed that recent patrols verified the platform's removal from the area, which is also known as Bajo de Masinloc. In response to its discovery, the Philippines lodged a formal protest against China.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has since acknowledged the platform, describing it as a temporary research facility. Guo Wei, the embassy’s deputy spokesperson, stated that the platform was used for ecological studies.
However, Philippine officials remain skeptical. Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela of the PCG challenged China to share the data collected during the research, reinforcing the Philippines' assertion of exclusive rights to conduct scientific exploration in the shoal.
This incident adds to the long-standing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, especially since China has maintained effective control of Panatag since a standoff in 2012. The shoal is situated approximately 357 kilometers from Zambales province, placing it well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
The recent surveillance by the PCG revealed that Chinese vessels had been in the area for several weeks, leading to concerns that their activities might extend beyond research into military applications.
As the situation unfolds, Philippine authorities have pledged to continue maritime patrols and document all activities in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the need for compliance with international law.