A submarine drone, believed to be of Chinese origin, was recovered off the central Philippines, raising concerns about “potential national security implications,” according to police on Thursday.
The drone was discovered by three fishermen on Monday, about six miles off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, as reported by the police.
The Philippines and China have been in conflict for years over maritime rights in the South China Sea, as well as disputes over ownership of reefs and islets.
China claims nearly the entire sea, dismissing competing claims from other nations and an international ruling that declares its assertion without legal foundation.
The yellow drone, marked “HY-119,” was found floating at sea and later handed over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon informed AFP. The drone was approximately six feet long, torpedo-shaped, and had fins.
“Based on our open-source research online, HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,” Dizon stated. “It has an antenna and a viewing device. From our research, it appears this could be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.”
Dizon noted that while the drone was not armed, the police report highlighted its “potential national security implications” as one of the key concerns. The drone was handed over to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Dizon added.
Tensions and military confrontations in the South China Sea have intensified in recent months. In December, Chinese coast guard vessels, supported by navy ships, used powerful water cannons to block and sideswipe a Philippine patrol vessel.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, criticized Beijing in a social media post, accusing the Chinese forces of “putting lives at risk” by disrupting a Philippine maritime operation.
Additionally, in December, a Chinese coast guard vessel was seen firing water cannons at a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The incident was captured on video and provided by the Philippine National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).
In another event last month, the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to monitor a Russian submarine as it passed through the South China Sea. Officials noted that the submarine was “very unique,” and its presence surprised the navy.
The United States has also warned that it is committed to defending the Philippines if Filipino forces are attacked in the South China Sea.