Scarborough Shoal Watch: US, PH Coast Guard Boats Seen Near Flashpoint
US and Philippine Coast Guard vessels were reported near Scarborough Shoal as Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships remained active around the flashpoint.
US and Philippine Coast Guard vessels were reported near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in what maritime monitors described as a notable joint presence operation in the West Philippine Sea.
According to The Manila Times, tracking reports cited by SeaLight and Starboard Intel showed the US Coast Guard cutter Midgett leaving Manila Bay on May 28 with the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino. The vessels were later tracked on the western approaches to the shoal beginning May 29, around 35 to 40 nautical miles away.
The report said other Philippine government vessels were also in the broader area, including the PCG’s BRP Cabra and BFAR’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya. The BFAR vessel was later seen heading back toward Manila Bay while being closely shadowed by a China Coast Guard vessel, based on AIS data cited in the maritime reports.
Chinese maritime activity was also reportedly layered around Scarborough Shoal, with at least nine China Coast Guard vessels forming an outer perimeter and at least seven larger maritime militia vessels closer to the shoal. The report also noted the possible presence of additional Chinese naval assets not visible on AIS.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. separately said the government is monitoring “raw information” about possible new structures in Bajo de Masinloc, while stressing that the information has not been fully validated. Source: The Manila Times
