The Philippines has filed a formal diplomatic protest against China following the reported appearance of a floating installation in a contested area of the South China Sea, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The country’s foreign ministry said it had taken “appropriate diplomatic measures” in response to what it described as the unlawful presence of a structure spotted within the Scarborough Shoal, a long-disputed maritime feature claimed by both nations.
A government task force monitoring the West Philippine Sea reported that the object measured roughly six by six metres and appeared to be equipped with an antenna like device. It was observed in and around the shoal’s lagoon area.
Authorities said the structure was initially seen near the entrance of the lagoon before later images indicated it had moved further inside the shallow waters of the disputed atoll.
Officials added that the installation appeared to have been occupied at certain points, based on recent surveillance images obtained by military monitoring units.
The task force emphasised that Manila would continue to respond in accordance with international law while defending what it called the country’s sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction in the area.
Defense officials said they were reviewing intelligence and satellite imagery to better understand the nature and possible purpose of the structure, noting that monitoring efforts in the region remain ongoing.
Recent satellite photos reviewed by international observers showed the structure at one point present within the lagoon, although subsequent images suggested it was later removed.
Scarborough Shoal, located roughly 200 kilometres off the Philippine coast and significantly closer to the country than mainland China, remains a highly sensitive flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.
China has maintained a long-standing presence of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the area since 2012, contributing to repeated diplomatic tensions.
While a 2016 international tribunal ruling favored the Philippines on several aspects of the dispute, sovereignty over the shoal itself remains unresolved, with both countries continuing to assert competing claims.
Goodness Anunobi
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