Philippine authorities confirmed on Wednesday that a Chinese floating platform installed in the lagoon of Panatag Shoal had been removed following diplomatic protests.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said patrols conducted on Wednesday verified the platform's removal from Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal. The Philippines had lodged a formal diplomatic protest after detecting the structure on May 25.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila described the platform as a temporary scientific research facility set up by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It stated that the research mission had been completed and the platform withdrawn on June 16.
Philippine Coast Guard Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela noted that one Chinese research vessel remained in the area. He challenged China to release the data gathered during the activity.
The shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Manila cites the 2016 arbitral ruling under UNCLOS that affirmed its sovereign rights there.