Philippines Probes Mystery ‘Structure’ at China-Occupied Scarborough Shoal | Taiwan Talks EP849

The Philippines is investigating after satellite images dated May 27 and 28, which showed a possible structure at the Chinese-occupied Scarborough Shoal. This development comes amid growing tensions in the South China Sea and just as Manila expands security cooperation with Japan and Vietnam. In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro described the country as a guardian of maritime freedom in an increasingly contested region. Is China’s growing assertiveness pushing these neighboring countries closer together? In this episode, we examine the latest developments at Scarborough Shoal, the emerging Philippines-Japan-Vietnam partnership and the region’s changing security landscape.

*Recorded on June 4, 2026 at 4pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Research Assistant: April Lin

Our guests:

Sana Hashmi
- Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Fellow
Guermantes Lailari
- Jewish Policy Center Senior Non-Resident Fellow

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Philippines Central to Deterring China
00:01:48 – New Structure at Disputed Shoal
00:10:40 – Manila Pushes Back on China
00:18:07 – Hanoi-Manila Maritime Cooperation
00:20:50 – Beijing Escalates Maritime Aggression




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