AFP Finds No Confirmed Drilling by Chinese Survey Vessel at Bajo de Masinloc; Weekly Tally Shows 48 Chinese Vessels Across Four WPS Features

Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral (ret./res.) Roy Vincent Trinidad, told reporters on September 15, 2026 that the Chinese drilling-capable survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi Shihao, which spent roughly 28 days around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough/Panatag Shoal), showed no confirmed evidence of actual drilling activity. 'The presence and the track would indicate that they were conducting surveillance or research activities. As to any report of drilling activities, there was none that was confirmed,' Trinidad said, adding 'to be able to conduct drilling activities, it should be stationary' and that AFP monitoring capabilities recorded no such reports. He said the AFP continues close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to track the vessel's movements. Separately, AFP's weekly West Philippine Sea monitoring report for September 8-14, 2026 tallied 48 Chinese coast guard and naval vessels across four contested features: Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal (8 China Coast Guard), Bajo de Masinloc/Scarborough Shoal (15 China Coast Guard, 6 PLA Navy), Escoda (Sabina) Shoal (3 China Coast Guard, 4 PLA Navy), and Pag-asa (Thitu) Island (6 China Coast Guard, 6 PLA Navy).