(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Defense Department on Thursday said it is verifying the reported presence of a Chinese research ship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said authorities will take action “based on the facts gathered by the maritime patrols in the area.”

“Rest assured that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), through the Northern Luzon Command, undertakes regular domain awareness operations and provides all the necessary support to the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies to secure and implement our laws in our territorial waters and the EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Lorenzana added.

The development comes after a social media post circulated claiming that a Chinese research vessel was sighted operating east of Scarborough Shoal.

The ship is supposedly being managed by a university in the East Asian giant, the post read.

Earlier this year, the Philippine government filed a flurry of diplomatic protests against Beijing over the lingering presence of its vessels in different parts of the country’s waters.