The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dispelled the public’s fear that the Chinese have already managed to establish a military base in Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

In a Tuesday report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa, this response came after Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has positioned its missiles at an entryway to Luzon.

In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that they have not monitored any construction activities in the common fishing grounds, although he admitted that Beijing’s presence has become semi-permanent in the disputed territory—which is within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

However, he said that if there was something that had a high chance of being true in the diplomat’s statement, it would be that China has installed missile systems, which could have been transported via PLA warships.

“It is safe to assume that warships would be armed by different missiles. So missiles aboard warships could be also the same that could have been what the good ambassador was referring to,” Trinidad said.

“Their illegal presence is not only limited to Bajo de Masinloc, but even the other features in the West Philippine Sea. They have a semi-permanent presence already in the West Philippine Sea and in Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.

The official assured that the Philippines still has access to Panatag Shoal and that they are able to support Filipino fishermen.

In July of 2016, the Philippines won its case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which acknowledged that Panatag Shoal was its territory and traditional fishing ground.