Manila, Feb. 24 -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday denied claims that Chinese forces have constructed a military base inside Scarborough Shoal (also known as Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"We have not monitored any construction on Scarborough Shoal except for the presence of the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy (PLAN), the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and the Maritime Militia," PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Asked where these Chinese ships were detected, Trinidad said these vessels were spotted "around Scarborough (Shoal)."

On reports claiming that China has deployed missiles on Scarborough Shoal, Trinidad ...