China’s military said on Friday its naval and air forces conducted combat readiness patrols around Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal,​ which has long been a flash point in tensions between Beijing ‌and Manila in the South China Sea (SCS). The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, in a statement, said the patrols were “necessary countermeasures in response to the Philippines’ rights violation ​and provocative acts,” and it has strengthened such patrols this ​month. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the Philippine military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ismael, J. J. (2026, October 31). China boosts patrols around disputed shoal. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.