An underwater drone suspected to be from China was recovered in 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 ownership of reefs and islets.
China claims almost the entire sea, ignoring rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its claim has no legal basis.
The yellow drone marked “HY-119” was found floating in the 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 Web… HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,” Dizon said.
“It has an antenna and an eye that can be used to observe. “According to our research, this can be used for tracking and recognition.”
Dizon said the drone was unarmed, but the police report listed “possible national security implications” as a sign of its recovery.
Police handed him over to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Dizon added.
The Philippine Navy and the Chinese embassy in Manila have not yet responded to AFP’s request for comment.
Tensions and military clashes have increased in recent months in the South China Sea. In December, Chinese coast guard ships backed by navy ships They fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Filipino patrol boat. The United States Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, accused Beijing in a social media post of putting “lives at risk” 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 track 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 has warned that it is forced to defend the Philippines if Philippine forces are attacked in the South China Sea.
