No China military base in Panatag, only semi-permanent presence – Navy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it has not detected a Chinese military base or missile deployment inside Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, even as Beijing maintains a continuous maritime presence in Philippine waters.

Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said monitoring shows the presence of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Chinese Coast Guard (CCG), and maritime militia vessels around Panatag Shoal, but no construction has been observed. 

Trinidad clarified that any missiles referenced in public reports would be aboard Chinese ships, not inside the shoal itself. 

“It is safe to assume that warships would be armed with different missiles. So missiles aboard warships could also be what the good ambassador was referring to,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The Navy’s statement comes after Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said in a Feb. 19 interview with One News that China had “already deployed missiles in Scarborough Shoal” and described the area as effectively a “military base.” 

Trinidad’s comments clarified that while Chinese ships are present, no permanent base or missile deployment has been detected on the shoal itself.

Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is located 220 kilometers away from Luzon in the West Philippine Sea, well within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Much of that area remains under Beijing’s control following a 2012 standoff with the Philippine Navy.

Trinidad said the Chinese presence in the West Philippine Sea remains significant. 

“Their presence in our EEZ, their illegal presence is not only limited to Bajo de Masinloc but even the other features in the West Philippine Sea. They have a semi-permanent presence already in the West Philippine Sea and in Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.

From Feb. 15 to 22, the Navy monitored 18 Chinese vessels: four PLAN ships and five CCG vessels at Bajo de Masinloc, four CCG ships at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, two PLAN ships and one CCG vessel at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, and one PLAN ship and one CCG vessel at Pag-asa Island.

The Navy said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has responded with increased patrols, enhanced sustainment capabilities, and improved infrastructure on occupied islands to strengthen maritime security. 

“These are all geared towards the maritime domain and securing and protecting what is rightfully and legally ours,” Trinidad said. /gsg