MANILA — Philippine authorities are closely monitoring mineral resources in the country as well as the entry of foreign nationals from China following reported developments linked to alleged Chinese activity at Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official said.

Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the monitoring includes concerns over rare earth minerals and the presence of foreign nationals entering from Mainland China.

“’Yung rare Earth minerals na binabantayan natin include the influx of foreign nationals coming from Mainland China. Marami itong binabantayan natin sa lupa natin, hindi lamang sa karagatan,” Trinidad said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

He said authorities are also tracking alleged extraction and movement of mineral resources, including black sand mining, which he claimed may be linked to reclamation activities.

“’Yung sinasabing lupang itinatambak o ‘yung ginagamit sa reclamation ay galing sa atin, ang na-monitor natin ay ‘yung mga rarest mineral o black sand mining na kinukuha sa atin at inuuwi sa mainland China. ‘Yung iba, pwedeng inilagay sa West Philippine Sea, pero ang unang pinagkuhanan nila ay kapaligiran din ng ating features.Massive reclamation ito,” he added.

Trinidad also said the government is exploring possible legislation to regulate dredging activities, citing concerns over reported engagements between China and local government units involving dredging and mineral extraction.

The remarks come after Philippine authorities confirmed reports of an alleged structure built by China at Bajo de Masinloc following satellite images released by maritime monitoring group SeaLight.

SeaLight said the imagery, captured on May 28, 2026 by Satellogic via SkyfiApp partners, showed a small object near the southern reef rim of the lagoon entrance at Scarborough Shoal.

“At the tip of the southern reef rim, the imagery reveals a small, reflective object clearly distinguishable on the reef flat near the lagoon entrance,” the group said.

The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over a reported floating platform allegedly deployed by China in the area.

The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) earlier reported that the floating platform had been removed and a Chinese research vessel had departed the area following maritime patrols.

Tensions further escalated after four Chinese warships confronted the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang during a patrol mission to Bajo de Masinloc, with both sides exchanging radio challenges. Despite being outnumbered, the Philippine vessel completed its mission without incident.

Trinidad said the Philippines may consider filing a new case before the Arbitral Tribunal in connection with recent developments.

“I believe right now, that one of the options that the government could undertake is to file a new case and I believe ayaw naman ng kabilang side ‘yun kaya nag-iingat din sila (the other side does not want that). But we have every reason and every right to file a new one,” he said.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza also expressed optimism over the possibility of a new arbitration case, citing the Philippines’ earlier legal victory.

“Malaki ang chances natin (we have big chances),” Jardeleza said.

“Ang kaigihan, ang strength, o ang lakas ng kaso natin ay magmula doon sa una nating ipinanalo. So mali po ‘yung haka-haka na baka matalo pa tayo. Paaano ka matatalo eh nanalo na tayo sa unang kaso,” he added.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 in favor of the Philippines, saying China’s claims in the South China Sea had “no legal basis.” China has since rejected the ruling.