Philippine Military Closely Monitoring Suspicious Platform to Prevent Chinese Civil Engineering at Scarborough Shoal

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian, Manila, June 16) — A Chinese marine survey vessel has recently been photographed towing a suspicious floating platform within the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China and Minzhu Reef in Taiwan). The Philippine military is closely monitoring and gathering evidence, emphasizing it will not allow a repeat of China's 1990s strategy of building artificial islands under the pretext of constructing fishermen's shelters.

Philippine security authorities have recently observed what appears to be a floating platform, possibly equipped with antennas, deployed near the entrance of Scarborough Shoal's lagoon. Analysts speculate the platform could be involved in hydrographic surveys, channel widening, or even planning for future dock or anchorage facilities.

At today's regular press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson Marissa Martinez stated that all external speculation regarding China's intentions remains conjecture at this stage.

However, she emphasized that the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling affirmed the Philippines' rights over the relevant waters. The military will continue monitoring activities around Scarborough Shoal and submit collected evidence and data to relevant government agencies for future policy decisions.

When asked about specific follow-up measures, Martinez declined to provide details, citing security considerations.

The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently stated that the floating platform cited by the Philippines was erected by Chinese scientific teams to study the geological evolution and ecological resilience of the Scarborough Shoal area.

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted a video yesterday on Facebook showing the Chinese marine survey vessel 'Yuezhan Yuke 6' towing the suspicious floating platform near the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal.

Tarriela wrote that by exposing China's actions, the Philippines is informing the international community that China is once again violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He added that the Philippines will not allow 'bullying actors' to act with impunity.

Xerxes Trinidad, Director of the Philippine military's Public Affairs Office, noted that information gathered from any marine research activity could potentially be used for military purposes, and thus the Philippine military is closely watching the situation.

Regarding speculation that the Chinese facility may be equipped with an echo sounder for hydrographic surveys, Trinidad said the military refrains from speculation without complete evidence but stressed that the Philippines will continue monitoring the situation.

Trinidad reiterated that the Philippines will not allow a repeat of the 1990s Mischief Reef incident.

In 1994, China began constructing 'fishermen's shelters' on Mischief Reef. The Philippines discovered this the following year and filed a diplomatic protest. China initially claimed the structures were simple shelters accessible to Filipino fishermen, but ultimately transformed Mischief Reef into an artificial island equipped with an airport runway, port, and military facilities. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150616