Philippines protests Chinese platform at Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines has formally protested the presence of a Chinese floating structure at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, escalating tensions in the South China Sea weeks before the 10th anniversary of a landmark international legal ruling. The Philippine government confirmed on June 9 that it had lodged a diplomatic protest and issued several demarches, calling the structure an illegal presence within its maritime zones.

Philippine authorities described the object as a floating platform measuring approximately six meters by six meters, equipped with what appeared to be an antenna and manned by personnel. Aerial surveillance by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the structure's presence within the shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had earlier indicated on May 30 that he received initial information about a possible structure.

China swiftly rejected the protest. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Manila stated that China holds indisputable sovereignty over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao, and that activities there, including scientific research, are within its sovereign rights....