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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos won't allow the Philippines to lose control of Bajo de Masinloc — Palace

Marcos won't allow the Philippines to lose control of Bajo de Masinloc — Palace

Published Jun 11, 2026 01:41 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos will not allow the Philippines to lose control of Bajo de Masinloc, Malacañang said.
  • The Palace reiterated the administration's commitment to protecting Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest against China's floating movable platforms in the disputed shoal.
A reported Chinese floating structure in Bajo de Masinloc has prompted a Philippine diplomatic protest, highlighting continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea as the country approaches the 10th anniversary of its landmark 2016 arbitral victory. Commercial satellite imagery captured on May 28, 2026, by Satellogic and Sealight shows a small, reflective object near the lagoon entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. (Courtesy of SeaLight via Ray Powell/X, formerly Twitter).
A reported Chinese floating structure in Bajo de Masinloc has prompted a Philippine diplomatic protest, highlighting continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea as the country approaches the 10th anniversary of its landmark 2016 arbitral victory. Commercial satellite imagery captured on May 28, 2026, by Satellogic and Sealight shows a small, reflective object near the lagoon entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. (Courtesy of SeaLight via Ray Powell/X, formerly Twitter).

President Marcos will not allow the Philippines to lose control of Bajo de Masinloc amid concerns over China's deployment of floating structures in the disputed shoal, Malacañang said on Thursday, June 11.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro gave the assurance when asked about public fears that the country's control over Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is gradually being eroded.

“Hindi po hahayaan ng Pangulo na mangyari po iyan (The President will not allow that to happen),” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

“Alam po natin ano ang totoong stance ng Pangulo pagdating sa interes ng mga Pilipino at interes natin dito sa ating West Philippine Sea (We know the President's true stance when it comes to protecting the interests of Filipinos and our interests in the West Philippine Sea),” she added.

According to Castro, the President is fully aware of developments in Bajo de Masinloc and continues to favor diplomatic and legal measures in addressing maritime disputes.

“Ang masasabi po lamang natin ay 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 (All we can say is that the President is aware of what is happening, and his position remains clear that diplomatic and legal measures should be prioritized in addressing this kind of situation),” she said,

The Palace official noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already lodged a diplomatic protest against the floating movable platforms deployed by China in Bajo de Masinloc.

“So, tuloy pa rin po ang ating paninindigan kung ano ang ating karapatan at ano ang dapat nating ipaglaban (We continue to stand firm on our rights and on what we must defend),” Castro said.

The diplomatic protest followed reports by Philippine maritime authorities regarding the presence of floating movable platforms deployed by China near Bajo de Masinloc.

According to reports, the structures were monitored within waters covered by the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, prompting concerns among officials over their purpose and potential implications for Philippine sovereign rights in the area.

The DFA has maintained that the Philippines rejects activities that violate its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

Bajo de Masinloc, located about 124 nautical miles off Zambales, has remained a flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea dispute since China took effective control of the shoal following a 2012 standoff.

The area falls within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

The Marcos administration has consistently maintained that it will defend the country's maritime rights while pursuing peaceful solutions through diplomacy and international law.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Claire Castro PH-China Bajo de Masinloc
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