Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is addressing the presence of floating barriers installed by the Chinese maritime militia in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Malaca±ang said Tuesday. In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that details of the PCG operations could not be disclosed to the public. "Naka-usap po mismo natin si Commodore [Jay] Tarriela, at ang anumang operasyon na gagawin nila ay hindi po natin maaaring i-expose (I have talked to Commodore Jay Tarriela and whatever actions they will take, we cannot expose it)," Castro said. Tarriela is the PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized trust in the Coast Guard and the Department of National Defense's decision-making regarding the issue. "Pero tiwala po tayo sa ating Coast Guard, sa DND, sa kanilang magiging desisyon patungkol po dito (But we trust our Coast Guard and the Department of National Defense on their decision about this matter)," Castro stated. In 2023, the government removed similar installations in the area following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. However, when asked if the government would pursue a similar measure this time, Castro mentioned that the Palace has not been informed of a similar plan. "Hintayin na lamang po natin kung ano ang maaaring maging report at ano ang maaaring maging aksiyon po ng nasabing mga ahensiya (Let's just wait for the report and the action of the said agencies)," she added.

Additionally, during a press briefing in Quezon City, the military expressed its readiness to assist the PCG in removing the barriers spotted by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources maritime domain awareness flight on Monday. "In the event that assistance will be needed, the Philippine Navy, the Air Force and the entire Nolcom (Northern Luzon Command) will be ready to respond," Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, assured.