Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines will not lose control over Scarborough Shoal despite the presence of Chinese structures in the area, Malacañang said Thursday, June 11.

In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “will not allow” the country to lose control of the shoal and will affirm the country’s sovereignty over the area.

This was in response to a floating platform and other structures within the shoal, prompting concerns over violations of Philippine sovereignty and international law.

“Hindi po hahayaan ng pangulo na mangyari po iyan,” Castro said.

[Translation: The president will not allow that to happen.]

Castro said the administration remains firm in asserting the country’s rights while pursuing diplomatic and legal remedies.

“Alam po natin ano ang totoong stance ng pangulo pagdating sa interes ng mga Pilipino at interes din natin dito sa ating West Philippine Sea,” she added.

[Translation: We know the president’s true stance when it comes to the interests of Filipinos and our interests in the West Philippine Sea.]

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier called on China to remove the floating platform and other structures, stressing that only the Philippines has the right to build and conduct activities in the shoal.

Officials said the presence of such structures violates international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s expansive claims.

Manila has filed diplomatic protests over the issue.

China, however, maintained its claim over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao, and defended its activities in the area.