China conducts patrols near Scarborough Shoal, Philippines dismisses drill assertions as "unfounded"
May 31, 2026
The official Philippine News Agency, citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, confirmed the presence of PLA Navy and China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in the vicinity of the shoal, which Manila calls Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, but denied that any coordinated manoeuvres were underway.