Satellite images confirmed a possible structure at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in late May 2026, though it was no longer visible by June 1.
Satellite images obtained by Reuters showed what analysts described as possibly a floating raft or buoy at the opening of the atoll on May 27, 29, and 30. SeaLight, a US-based maritime monitoring group, posted imagery from May 28 highlighting a small reflective object near the lagoon entrance. The Philippines said on June 3 it was investigating reports of the new structure. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. received raw information about it while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30. A June 1 image from Vantor indicated the suspected structure was no longer present. China maintains indisputable sovereignty over the feature it calls Huangyan Dao.
