Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone
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A China Coast Guard ship (right) deploying water cannon at a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel (left) near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Dec 4, 2024.
PHOTO: AFP
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MANILA - A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in the waters off central Philippines, police said on Jan 2, warning of “potential national security implications”.
Three fishermen found the drone a day earlier, around 9km off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said.
The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets.
China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
The yellow drone marked “HY-119” was found floating at sea before being turned over to the authorities, said regional police director Andre Dizon.
It was about 2m long and torpedo-shaped with fins.
“Based on our open-source research on the internet... HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,” he said.
“It has an antenna and an eye that can be used for viewing. Based on our research, this can be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.”
He said the drone was not armed but the police report listed “potential national security implications” as one significance of its recovery.
It was turned over by police to the Philippine Navy on Jan 2, he added.
The Philippine Navy and the Chinese Embassy in Manila have yet to respond to a request for comment. AFP
