Manila: The Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Tuesday that it is in the process of verifying reports concerning underwater structures in the contested region of Bajo de Masinloc, located in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the PN spokesperson for the WPS, emphasized the significance of these reports during a press briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rear Admiral Trinidad highlighted a historical incident from 1997, when the PN successfully thwarted an effort by China to construct a steel structure in the area. "In the past, in 1997, there was an attempt to erect a steel structure by the Chinese Communist Party, which was blown up by our PN forces," he remarked, underscoring the ongoing challenges in maintaining sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc.

Trinidad further elaborated on previous sightings of building blocks in the region, which were initially thought to be new developments. However, upon investigation, these structures were identified as remnants from the era when US military bases were still operational in the Philippines. "Upon further checking, these were blocks that were installed during the time of the presence of US bases when Bajo de Masinloc was still used as a bombing range by the US Air Force, the US Navy, and I believe by the Philippine Air Force," Trinidad clarified.

In a related development, the Chinese government recently announced that its State Council has sanctioned the establishment of a reserve in Bajo de Masinloc, to be named the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve. This declaration has been met with strong opposition from the Philippine government. The Department of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal protest, reiterating that only Manila has the authority to designate marine protected areas within Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.