Philippines urges action to take place to meet China-related maritime drones

Senate leaders said Wednesday that the Philippines should step up efforts and strengthen claims on parts of the South China Sea through legal and diplomatic means, after authorities reported that maritime drones found in Philippine waters may have originated in China.

The Philippine Navy said on Tuesday that three of the five sea drones recovered in the country's waters have “50% to 80%” of the possibility of being deployed by China in the past two years and could be in preparation for underwater warfare.

It is suspected that Chinese drones are equipped with advanced technology that can measure water depth, temperature, salinity, detect underwater sounds and transmit data through satellite communications.

“It is obvious that China has been deploying these drones to study our seabeds and map our underwater terrain to collect critical data on scientific, commercial or military uses,” Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino said in a statement.

He added: “This development should further strengthen our efforts to protect the West Philippine Sea and continue to adopt legal and diplomatic claims, which means our sovereign rights over our exclusive economic zones and resources.”

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to the information seeking comments from Viber.

In January, Mr. Tolentino also introduced Senate Resolution 1267, which called for an investigation into the six-foot submersible drone that was discovered at the Chamber of Commerce on December 30, 2024 in Masbate.

China and the Philippines have been controversial in the South China Sea, as Beijing claims almost all waterways.

Mr Tolentino urged the Filipinos who were found to hand over the sea drone to the appropriate authorities. “If you find a drone, don't patch it, don't sell it, don't keep it as a souvenir.” – Kenneth Christian L. Basilio