MANILA — The National Task Force (NTF) for the West Philippine Sea is verifying reports of a newly observed structure in Bajo de Masinloc, as authorities assess its potential impact on the country’s maritime claims.

In a statement on Thursday, NTF-WPS spokesperson Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the government is taking the reports seriously as these may affect the country’s “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.”

“Relevant government agencies are currently undertaking verification and validation measures to establish the accuracy, nature, and circumstances surrounding these reports, utilizing available monitoring, surveillance, and operational assessment mechanisms,” Tarriela said.

He added that while verification is ongoing, the public is urged to avoid speculation and rely only on official government updates.

“Further updates will be provided once the verification process has been completed and the facts have been firmly established,” he said.

Tarriela also assured that the government remains committed to defending its maritime interests and upholding international law.

He said the Philippines remains “steadfast in protecting its national interests, defending its lawful maritime entitlements, and upholding the rules-based international order consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

Meanwhile, non-profit maritime monitoring group SeaLight reported a new satellite image showing an object near Bajo de Masinloc.

In a Facebook post, SeaLight said it has not yet determined whether the object is fixed or floating, its function, or its origin.

“However, as China has exercised effective control over the shoal since 2012 and has increasingly restricted access to the lagoon entrance since 2024, attribution to any other actor is very unlikely,” it said.

SeaLight is a U.S.-based non-profit organization that uses commercially available satellite technology to monitor maritime “gray zone” activities, including harassment of fisherfolk, illegal incursions into state waters, vessel swarming, outpost and artificial island construction, and illegal or unregulated fishing.