Chinese platform near Bajo de Masinloc poses a security threat
The Armed Forces has warned the “floating platform” that China built near the disputed Bajo de Masinloc posed an imminent security threat to the country.
Chinese research vessel Yue Zhan Yu Ke 6 was seen towing the floating platform spotted in Bajo de Masinloc during a routine Maritime Domain Awareness flight. Photo from Philippine Coast Guard
Joe M. Reyes| June 17, 2026
MANILA — The Armed Forces has warned the “floating platform” that China built near the disputed Bajo de Masinloc posed an imminent security threat to the country.
An Armed Forces spokesman said the “floating platform” serves dual purposes — marine research and military. (Also read: Philippines protests Chinese structure on Bajo de Masinloc)
“Any marine research conducted could provide an information, an advantage information for one particular nation,” Army Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the military public affairs chief, told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“These can be used either for economic and environmental or even for military purposes.”
This could be a serious security threat to the country, the Armed Forces said.
The military discovered the “floating platform” about three weeks ago during a maritime domain awareness flight.
There were also satellite images of the six meters by six meters structure, which has a communications antenna.
China gained control of the shoal in 2012 after a three-month standoff with the Philippines.
Beijing claimed almost the entire South China Sea. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have conflicting claims on the strategic waterway where $3 trillion trade passes annually. (Also read: 86% of Filipinos favor alliances with like-minded nations to defend WPS -Stratbase poll)
A Philippine Navy spokeswoman, Captain Marissa Martinez said it is hard to speculate the real purpose of the platform.
“That’s why your Armed Forces is continuing monitoring it,” she said.
Martinez said the military is studying the movements and activities and of the floating platform noting that these would serve as the basis for its future actions.
“It would be speculative if we would say already that it is for the construction of a certain (structure), of a pier[...] It’s hard to speculate. That’s why your Armed Forces is continuing conducting surveillance patrols, documenting it and reporting it,” said Martinez.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the “floating platform” was monitored by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft being towed by a Chinese research vessel.
When asked if the floating platform was still in the vicinity of the shoal, Martinez said: “Although it was reported that it was moved, it’s still within the vicinity.”
“That’s why it’s very important to monitor it, most especially the actions of that (platform) [...] The movements of China is being monitored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Martinez.
The military said it has also monitored at least 26 Chinese Coast Guard and Navy ships at the vicinity of the shoal and three other key features in the West Philippine Sea from June 9 to 15.
Fourteen of these vessels were monitored at Bajo de Masinloc — 10 Coast Guard and four Navy. Five Chinese vessels were spotted at the unoccupied Escoda Shoal — three Coast Guard and two Navy.
The military said seven Chinese vessels were monitored at two Philippine-occupied features — three Coast Guard and one Navy at Pag-asa Island; and three Coast Guard at Ayungin Shoal.