China has warned the Philippines against “interfering” with its patrols at Bajo de Masinloc, saying the shoal and its waters are part of Chinese territory. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier reported that a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel came dangerously close to one of its patrol ships near the shoal in a “close distance maneuvering” incident on March 2. Using the Chinese name for the shoal, also called Panatag (or Scarborough) Shoal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Monday that it was China’s “inherent territory.”

Santos, T. G., Salaverria, L. B., & Mangosing, F. (2022, March 30). China warns PH against patrolling Panatag Shoal. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A2.