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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
June 17, 2026 | 12:00am
A floating structure seen inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc during a Philippine Coast Guard maritime awareness flight on May 28, 2026.
Philippine Coast Guard / Released
MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese embassy in Manila confirmed yesterday the floating structure in Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea, saying it is a “temporary” scientific research facility.
The embassy slammed the Philippines for hyping up and politicizing China’s “normal scientific research activities” in Philippine waters.
“The so-called floating structure at Huangyan Dao that the Philippine side has recently been repeatedly publicizing is, in fact, a temporary scientific research facility established by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,” Chinese embassy deputy spokesperson Guo Wei said.
“The facility serves as a floating in-situ sampling and experimental platform designed to deepen understanding of the ecosystem of Huangyan Dao and improve scientific forecasting… The relevant scientific research mission has now been successfully completed,” Guo said in a statement, referring to the shoal by its Chinese name.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has undertaken the appropriate diplomatic action, such as several demarches and the issuance of a formal protest, against the structure in Panatag reported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela earlier said a Chinese research vessel was spotted towing a floating platform in and out of Panatag Shoal.
During a maritime domain awareness flight by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, authorities documented the Chinese research vessel Yue Zhan Yu Ke 6 “towing the floating platform back inside through the southeast entrance.” — Josiah Antonio
