AFP chief confirms moving structure in lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc

MANILA, June 9 ------ Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed that a moving structure was found inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Brawner, the structure measured approximately six meters by six meters and was seen carrying six individuals. To determine the nature of the structure, the military has deployed aircraft over the area. “Nagpalipad tayo ng mga eroplano sa Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal para makita natin ang ginagawang structures doon—if it is a floating structure or a fixed structure. Kailangan talagang makita natin,” Brawner told defense reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. “Sa ngayon, nasa gitna, nasa loob na siya. It’s a 6x6 structure na parang may antenna siya,” he added. “Sa latest image na nakuha ng ating Philippine Air Force (PAF) na lumipad over Bajo de Masinloc, may mga tao sa taas. May anim na tao doon sa structure… Hindi natin alam exactly ano ang ginagawa nila.”

The military continues to conduct aerial surveillance whenever weather conditions permit and is also planning to deploy ships to monitor activities in the area. “Today, nakapagpalipad tayo… Tuwing maganda ang panahon, nagpapalipad tayo ng mga eroplano para mamonitor natin ang mga nangyayari. May mga ipapadala rin tayong mga barko,” the AFP chief noted.

Brawner said the structure appears to be the same object earlier seen in satellite imagery shared online by SeaLight director and maritime expert Ray Powell. Powell had posted satellite images taken on May 28 showing the southern entrance to Bajo de Masinloc’s lagoon. The imagery revealed a small reflective object at the tip of the southern reef rim, which Powell said was “clearly distinguishable on the reef flat near the lagoon entrance.”

The AFP chief warned against allowing any construction activity that could eventually alter the status of the shoal. “Hindi natin papayagang maulit ang nangyari noon na may itinayong isang maliit na structure. Later on, lumaki pa siya into an artificial island. Hindi tayo papayag dito sa Scarborough Shoal,” Brawner stressed.

In response to the development, Brawner said the government has already undertaken diplomatic measures. “Marami tayong ginagawang actions against that. For instance, ang Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) nag-issue ng demarche. Kausap din natin ang mga kaalyado natin at partner nations natin dahil interesado rin sila sa mga nangyayari dito,” he said. “We have a lot of options. First option is through diplomacy,” he added.

The sighting comes amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines has repeatedly protested activities that undermine its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in areas within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Source: news.abs-cbn.com