Ranking House of Representatives members have lambasted China for the reported deployment of a floating structure within the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in Zambales less than a month before the 10th anniversary of the Philippines' arbitral award.

Criticizing Beijing's move were Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and House "Young Guns" Bloc members Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.

"I strongly condemn the deployment by the People's Republic of China of a floating structure within the waters of Scarborough Shoal, an area that lies well within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and over which the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction under international law," De Lima said on Saturday, June 13.

"Philippine authorities have determined that the structure is a manned floating platform equipped with communications or monitoring equipment and is believed to be engaged in maritime research and data-gathering activities without the authorization or consent of the Philippine Government," noted the House senior deputy minority leader.

The Young Guns, in a joint statement, said: "The People’s Republic of China’s actions are a direct assault on our sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional peace and stability."

“We stand united with the Filipino people and the entire government in defending every inch of our territory and [EEZ]. Diplomacy must be backed by resolve. They must cease these illegal activities now,” they said.

The Philippine government is just a few weeks away from celebrating the 10th anniversary of its landmark arbitral award on the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Given to the country on July 12, 2016, it marks Manila's victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague in the South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People's Republic of China).

Beijing has never recognized this award. Instead, the Chinese recently deployed to Philippine waters what they described as a scientific or environmental monitoring platform.

"Its presence constitutes yet another unauthorized intrusion into Philippine maritime zones and a direct affront to Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights," said De Lima, a lawyer.

She reckoned that this latest incursion "likewise demonstrates China's continuing disregard for the 2016 arbitral award, which unequivocally invalidated the legal basis of its expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. No amount of floating structures, artificial installations, or unilateral actions can create rights where none exist under international law."

"We therefore call upon China to immediately remove the floating platform from Scarborough Shoal, cease all unauthorized activities within Philippine maritime zones, and comply with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the binding arbitral ruling," she added.

For their part, House deputy speakers Khonghun, Ortega and assistant majority leader Adiong said: "We will not allow Bajo de Masinloc to be turned into another artificial island through incremental and unlawful occupation, as happened at Mischief Reef and other features."

"The House Young Guns fully support the diplomatic protest already lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with the [Chinese] government. We are one with the Philippine government in demanding the immediate removal of the floating platform, buoys, antennas, and all other illegal structures," they said.

De Lima expressed high distrust toward this supposed "scientific" facility.

"China's actions in the South China Sea have long followed a familiar and deeply troubling pattern. What begins as a seemingly innocuous civilian presence, a temporary structure, a fishing encampment, or a research activity often evolves into a sustained occupation, followed by the construction of permanent facilities, extensive land reclamation, military fortifications, and the assertion of unlawful control over our sovereign maritime features."

According to the official statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) dated June 9, 2026, and confirmed through aerial monitoring and latest imagery by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), China has unlawfully placed a movable 6x6-meter floating platform inside the shoal.

The platform features what appears to be an antenna and has personnel observed onboard. Further documentation by the PCG shows additional unlawful installations by the PRC, including three newly installed floating buoys (on top of two dropped last October), an unidentified floating spherical object, and at least two communication antennas.

"It is therefore neither alarmist nor speculative to question the true purpose and long-term implications of this newly deployed floating platform. Prudence requires us to evaluate China's actions not merely by its official statements but by its established conduct over the past decade," De Lima said.

The lady lawmaker called on the Philippines' partners in the international community to remain vigilant against incremental actions designed to alter the status quo through coercion and faits accomplis. "Respect for international law, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes remain essential to regional peace and stability."

"The Philippines must stand firm against any attempt to normalize unlawful encroachments and must remain resolute in defending the [WPS] for present and future generations of Filipinos," De Lima added.