Navy to set up monitoring station at TubbatahaMembers of Western Naval Command Staff together with the Staff of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park during the Signing of MoU for the Co-Location of NMD Tubbataha at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Ranger Station, Feb. 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy is set to station some of its personnel at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park to track the movement of vessels in the Sulu Sea, where Chinese warships have also passed through, according to the Navy. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a marine protected area and world-renowned scuba diving site. Chinese Navy vessels have passed through these waters using all foreign vessels' right to innocent passage to transit within the Philippine archipelagic waters. Having the Navy set up its own detachment there will "enhance maritime monitoring and conservation efforts, strengthening inter-agency coordination for effective maritime situational awareness in the Sulu Sea," the Navy said in its news release.

Source: Philippine Star February 05, 2026 13:02 UTC