President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is reaffirming his commitment to diplomacy and international law as the Philippine government monitors new Chinese activity within the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
The Palace confirmed on Thursday that the President has been fully briefed on the situation.
Officials emphasized that the administration will prioritize legal and diplomatic channels to safeguard national interests and prevent further escalation in the region.
“Alam po ng Pangulo ang nangyayari, at nananatili pong malinaw ang kaniyang paninindigan na unahin ang paggamit ng diplomatiko at ligal na hakbang sa pagharap ng ganitong klaseng sitwasyon,” said Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has formally filed a diplomatic protest in response to the deployment of a movable floating structure discovered inside the lagoon. Additionally, surveillance operations and satellite imagery managed by the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea since late May detected other installations, including buoys and antennas, in the vicinity.
These developments have heightened concerns regarding Beijing’s ongoing presence in the area, which has remained under China’s de facto control since a maritime standoff in 2012.
Addressing public anxieties that the Philippines is gradually relinquishing its hold over the strategic fishing ground, Castro dismissed the claims and reiterated the President’s firm stance on upholding the country’s sovereign rights.
“Hindi po hahayaan ng Pangulo na mangyari po iyan. Alam po natin ano ang totoong stance ng Pangulo pagdating sa interes ng mga Pilipino at interes natin dito sa ating West Philippine Sea,” Castro stated.