In late May, the Philippine Department of Defense observed a floating platform being regularly moved by Chinese personnel in the area of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal, according to a report by BusinessWorld.
The shoal lies approximately 120 nautical miles from Subic, Zambales, placing it within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The Philippine Coast Guard separately reported that six Chinese nationals were seen on the platform's deck, raising concerns over potential activities in the disputed waters.
The development is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple claimant states vie for sovereignty over strategic features. The Philippine government has yet to issue a formal statement on the platform's purpose, but the observation underscores Manila's continued monitoring of Chinese maritime operations near its shores.