Manila: The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) on Wednesday confirmed the removal of the Chinese floating platform spotted in the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) since late May. The task force said this was based on the latest maritime domain awareness (MDA) patrols conducted by Philippine authorities earlier in the day.

According to Philippines News Agency, NTF WPS announced plans to conduct regular maritime patrols, MDA operations, and "lawful presence activities" through the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and other relevant agencies as part of its efforts to secure BdM. The task force also demanded that all foreign entities abide by international law and cease actions that infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. It emphasized the Philippines' commitment to protecting its territorial integrity and upholding the rules-based international order.

Earlier, the Philippines lodged a formal diplomatic protest against China after detecting the presence of its floating platform in BdM. Despite the removal, the Philippines reiterated its position that BdM is an integral part of its territory, asserting its sovereignty through continuous and uninterrupted jurisdiction supported by historical records and consistent administration activities.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported conducting a routine MDA flight on Tuesday, during which it observed the Chinese research vessel Yue Zhan Yu Ke 6 dismantling the floating platform and loading it onto its stern. The PCG consistently challenged the vessel's marine scientific research activities during the flight. On Wednesday, the PCG conducted another MDA flight using its Cessna Caravan aircraft, confirming the absence of the platform and the Chinese research vessel from the vicinity of BdM. However, a smaller research vessel, Yue Xia Yu Zhi 20028, remained inside the shoal.