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This handout photo from Police Regional Office 5 shows an underwater drone with Chinese markings recovered in Masbate on December 30, 2024.

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735796460621viber_image_2025-01-02_12-14-10-568.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This handout photo from Police Regional Office 5 shows an underwater drone with Chinese markings recovered in Masbate on December 30, 2024.</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed on Thursday the turnover of a remotely operated submersible drone that fisherfolk in Masbate found on December 30 and brought to local police.</p><p>The drone was marked HY-119, which reportedly refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.</p><p>Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said the recovery of the suspected drone “underscores the importance of collaboration with local fisherfolk and maritime stakeholders.&quot;</p><p>He also urged local coastal communities to continue cooperating with government on keeping an eye on Philippine waters.</p><p>“The AFP is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of our maritime domain, with all necessary resources mobilized to address similar and other situations with utmost diligence,” he also said.</p><p>The Navy is conducting an investigation to determine the drone’s origin and purpose.</p><p>In a related press statement, Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the recovery of the underwater drone means it is not unlikely that China has long been gathering intelligence and information in Philippine waters.</p><p>Barbers also made pitch for the establishment of a naval facility in Surigao del Norte and opening it to US troop access through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/4/10/underwater-drone-uses-ai-to-study-coral-reefs-1629">Underwater drone uses AI to study coral reefs</a></div><div><strong>FOUND OFF SAN PASCUAL TOWN</strong></div><p>Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around nine kilometers (six miles) off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report earlier said.</p><p>The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets.</p><p>China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.</p><p>The yellow drone marked &quot;HY-119&quot; was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon told AFP.</p><p>It was about two meters (six feet) long, and torpedo-shaped with fins.</p><p>&quot;Based on our open-source research in the internet... HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,&quot; Dizon said.</p><p>&quot;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.&quot;</p><p>Dizon said the drone was not armed, but the police report listed &quot;potential national security implications&quot; as one significance of its recovery. <strong>— with Agence France Presse</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ou9dIsKHO8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The drone was marked HY-119, which reportedly refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.</p>

The drone was marked HY-119, which reportedly refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.

Navy investigates origin, purpose of underwater drone recovered in Masbate

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Navy investigates origin, purpose of underwater drone recovered in Masbate

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 02, 2025 01:47 PM PHT

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