Quezon city: A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday denied claims that Chinese forces have constructed a military base inside Scarborough Shoal (also known as Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). "We have not monitored any construction on Scarborough Shoal except for the presence of the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy (PLAN), the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and the Maritime Militia," PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

According to Philippines News Agency, Trinidad addressed reports of Chinese ships detected around Scarborough Shoal and dismissed claims of missile deployment on the shoal itself. He clarified that any observed missiles were likely aboard PLAN ships in the vicinity rather than stationed on the shoal.

Trinidad explained that the monitoring efforts from February 15 to 22 revealed the presence of 18 PLAN and CCG vessels across four major features in the WPS. The data showed that Bajo de Masinloc had four PLAN ships and five CCG vessels, Ayungin Shoal had four CCG vessels, Escoda Shoal had two PLAN and one CCG vessel, and Pag-asa had one PLAN and one CCG vessel.

While these numbers are relatively low compared to past figures, Trinidad highlighted the ongoing illegal Chinese presence in the Philippine exclusive economic zone as a persistent issue.