Two days after the collision of two Chinese vessels, the United States deployed two of its naval ships to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday, Aug. 13, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed an aircraft for a patrol operation, only to be intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet. The USS Higgins (DDG-76), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati (LCS20), an Independence-class littoral combat ship, performed freedom of navigation and overflight patrol around Bajo de Masinloc.

Sadongdong, M., & Antonio, R. (2025, August 14). US sends destroyer, combat ship to Bajo de Masinloc. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.