MANILA, Philippines — Chinese naval forces carried out combat readiness patrols on Saturday in the waters surrounding Scarborough Shoal, according to a report by China’s Xinhua news agency via Reuters.
China’s Southern Theatre Command intensified both sea and air patrols in the disputed area, reinforcing what it claims as maritime and aerial control, despite ongoing sovereignty assertions by the Philippines.
Scarborough Shoal—also known locally as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal—is a rich fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), just 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales. The area is considered part of the West Philippine Sea under Philippine designation.
In 2016, an international tribunal at The Hague ruled that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, siding with the Philippines.
The Philippine Navy reiterated that only Philippine-flagged law enforcement and naval ships have legitimate authority within the country’s maritime zones. Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said China’s activities are likely aimed at internal propaganda and misinformation.
The Philippine government continues to reinforce its claims by renaming parts of the South China Sea within its EEZ as the West Philippine Sea.