An underwater drone suspected of originating from China has been recovered from waters off the central Philippines, police said Thursday, warning of “potential national security implications.”
Three fishermen found the drone on Monday about six miles off the coast of San Pascual, in Masbate province, according to a police report.
The Philippines and China have clashed for years over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as the possession of reefs and islets.
China claims almost the entire sea, ignoring competing claims from other countries and an international ruling that its claim has no legal basis.
The yellow drone marked “HY-119” was found floating at sea before being handed over to authorities, regional police director André Dizon told AFP.
It was about six feet long and shaped like a torpedo with fins.
“Based on our open source research on the Internet… HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communications system,” Dizon said.
“It has an antenna and an eye that can be used for visualization. According to our research, this can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Dizon said the drone was unarmed, but the police report lists “potential national security implications” as one of the significances of its recovery.
It was handed over by police to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Dizon added.
The Philippine navy and the Chinese embassy in Manila have not yet responded to AFP’s requests for comment.
Tensions and military clashes have intensified in the South China Sea in recent months. In December, Chinese coast guard ships supported by navy ships fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel. The United States Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, accused Beijing in a social media post of putting “lives in danger” by disrupting a Philippine maritime operation.
Aaron Favila/NTF-WPS via AP
Also last month, the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force aircraft to monitor a Russian submarine passing through the South China Sea. An official said the navy was surprised to see the ship because it was a “Very unique submarine. »
The United States warned that it was forced to defend the Philippines if Philippine forces are attacked in the South China Sea.