China blocks Bajo de Masinloc with floating barriers

Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, confirmed the Reuters report, saying China had installed a 352-meter floating barrier at the entrance on April 10 and April 11

Manuel Mogato | April 18, 2026

MANILA — China has installed floating barriers at the mouth of the only entrance to Bajo de Masinloc ahead of a large-scale maritime exercise among the Philippines and its allies in the West Philippine Sea off the coasts of Zambales and Ilocos Norte.

In an exclusive report by Reuters, the news agency obtained satellite images showing Chinese fishing boats and a government vessel at the entrance of the disputed Bajo de Masinloc, and a new floating barrier stretches across the only access to the shoal.

Bajo de Masinloc is one of Southeast Asia’s hotly disputed features in the South China Sea, where many feared that constant friction could lead to an armed conflict. (PODCAST: API Podcast Ep2: China’s ICAD tactics)

China seized control of the traditionally rich fishing ground in 2012 after a three-month standoff with the Philippines. It lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but China claims it as part of its territory.

Last year, China announced plans to turn Bajo de Masinloc into a national nature reserve, which alarmed the Philippines. Manila has accused Beijing of reclaiming Bajo de Masinloc, similar to what it did to Mischief Reef in 1995.

Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, confirmed the Reuters report, saying China had installed a 352-meter floating barrier at the entrance on April 10 and April 11.

“Six Chinese maritime militia vessels were also observed within the shoal, while three others were spotted outside, seemingly obstructing the entrance to Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.

“According to our assessment, they consistently exhibit suspicion whenever they monitor a group of Filipino fishing boats,” Tarriela said. (Also read: Philippines says China poisoning with cyanide the waters around BRP Sierra Madre)

In the past, the Coast Guard cut the barriers, but the floating barriers had been removed based on the latest Coast Guard monitoring.

The floating barriers were installed when a group of Filipino fishing boats, escorted by a Coast Guard vessel, was seen near Bajo de Masinloc.

It could also be in response to the Philippines plan to hold maritime exercises with five allies in the West Philippine Sea as part of Balikatan drills next week until May 8.

Two counterlanding drills will also take place in Palawan and Zambales, and a maritime strike, featuring the sinking of an old Navy vessel, will take place in Ilocos Norte.

In January, the US and the Philippines held a bilateral maritime exercise near Bajo de Masinloc, as Manila has increasingly held maritime drills with its allies near the shoal.