A submarine drone suspected to be from China has been found in waters off the central Philippines, police said Thursday, warning of “possible national security implications.” “
Three fishermen found the drone on Monday about six miles off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said.
The Philippines and China have been fighting for years over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as ownership of reefs and islands.
China claims almost the entire sea, dismissing 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 turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon told AFP.
It was about six feet long, and shaped like a torpedo with wings.
“Based on our open internet research… HY-119 refers to an underwater navigation and communication system in China,” Dizon said.
“It has an antenna and an eye that can be used for observation. Based on our research, this can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance.”
Dizon said the drone was not armed, but the police report listed “possible national security implications” as one priority for recovery.
He was turned over by the police to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Dizon said.
The Philippine Navy and the Chinese embassy in Manila have yet to respond to AFP's request for comment.
Tensions and armed conflicts have increased in the South China Sea in recent months. In December, Chinese coast guard vessels supported by navy ships he fired powerful water cannons and blocked and swept aside a Philippine patrol vessel. US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, Beijing accused in a social media post endangering “animals” by disrupting Philippine maritime activities.
Aaron Favila/NTF-WPS via AP
Also last month, the Philippine military sent a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine, which passed through the South China Sea. One officer said that the navy was surprised to see the ship because it was “a very special submarine.”
The US has warned that obligated to defend the Philippines if Philippine forces come under attack in the South China Sea.
