No Seabed Drilling by Chinese Vessel near Scarborough Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported no confirmed evidence that a Chinese research vessel, Haiyang Dizhi Shihao, conducted seabed drilling operations. The vessel was present for nearly a month around Bajo de Masinloc, internationally recognized as Scarborough Shoal.

Philippine military monitoring tracked the vessel's movements closely throughout its 28-day deployment near the shoal, and their official assessment suggests its activities were more consistent with surveillance or general research.

The Haiyang Dizhi Shihao's movements were inconsistent with what is typically required for drilling operations. Drilling activities necessitate a stationary vessel for stability and precision.

However, Philippine monitoring showed that the vessel remained in motion throughout its stay, with military tracking systems analyzing its specific movement patterns, which appeared more consistent with research or surveillance activities.

The Chinese research vessel entered the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on August 10, 2026. It then remained near Scarborough Shoal for approximately 28 days, conducting its activities.

After its prolonged presence, the Haiyang Dizhi Shihao exited the disputed area on September 8, subsequently returning to Chinese waters by September 11.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) utilized multiple maritime monitoring methods to verify the absence of drilling activity. These methods included direct vessel tracking and the use of various sensor data.

Close coordination was maintained with other government agencies, including the Coast Guard and the fisheries bureau, forming a three-tier verification system that consistently reported no such activity.

Despite the absence of seabed drilling, the Philippines maintains its legal objection to the Chinese vessel's activities. Manila requires explicit consent for any scientific research conducted within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Haiyang Dizhi Shihao operated without the necessary permit from the Philippine government, and the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the lack of any authorization for its research activities in the area.

The Philippines' legal justification for its maritime claims and its objection to unauthorized activities is firmly rooted in the 2016 Arbitral Award. This landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration clarified maritime entitlements and historical claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China, however, continues to reject the 2016 Arbitral Award, dismissing its validity and refusing to acknowledge its findings. Despite China's stance, the Philippines consistently upholds the award as the definitive basis for its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

The arbitral tribunal's decision explicitly addressed the legal status of features in the South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal, and invalidated China's expansive claims based on historical rights.

Manila uses this international legal precedent to counter China's assertiveness and to affirm its territorial integrity and resource sovereignty in its EEZ.