The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has discovered a second yellow floating buoy installed at the northern tip of the Bajo de Masinloc Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The discovery was made during a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight conducted early Wednesday morning, just a day after PCG aircraft first detected a similar buoy placed near the center of the shoal.
Both installations have prompted close scrutiny as the PCG intensifies its monitoring of the area.
In addition to the buoy sighting, the PCG confirmed it had secured the coordinates of a previously reported structure observed during yesterday’s operations.
A subsequent review of historical satellite imagery revealed that the structure, believed to be debris, has been present for at least two years.
Authorities clarified that the findings do not indicate any recent construction activities within the shoal.
However, the PCG’s monitoring mission was marred by aggressive actions from Chinese forces.
Following a low-altitude pass by a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter directly beneath the PCG aircraft, a Shenyang J-16 fighter jet from the PLA Air Force was deployed to shadow and harass the Philippine plane. The maneuver posed a direct threat to the safety of the PCG crew and journalists aboard the flight.
The Bajo de Masinloc Shoal, also known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, remains a flashpoint in maritime tensions between the Philippines and China.
The area is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone but has been subject to persistent Chinese presence and enforcement activities in recent years.
“In the face of such aggressive actions, the PCG remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold international law and safeguard maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” PCG said in a statement.
“The PCG is resolute in ensuring that our territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights are properly protected so that our fishermen can safely fish in our own maritime jurisdiction,” it added.
