Ched Rick Gatchalian

The Western Naval Command (WNC), through the BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) and the MCAAU–W, successfully recovered suspected illegal drugs floating in the waters near Sabina Shoal, West Philippine Sea. Facebook/Western Naval Command

Article (news)

Navy patrol gunboat’s West PH Sea patrol yields illegal drugs, rocket debris

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761034514428Screenshot 2025-10-21 161146.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Western Naval Command (WNC), through the BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) and the MCAAU–W, successfully recovered suspected illegal drugs floating in the waters near Sabina Shoal, West Philippine Sea. <em>Facebook/Western Naval Command </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A routine patrol by a Philippine Navy gunboat in the West Philippine Sea led to the recovery of several packs of illegal drugs and suspected Chinese rocket debris, an official said on Tuesday.</p><p>Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez, spokesperson of the Philippine Navy, said the BRP Lolinato To-ong conducted maritime domain awareness (MDA) operations in the West Philippine last week.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/10/20/ph-vessel-retrieves-suspected-chinese-rocket-debris-off-palawan-2139">PH vessel retrieves suspected Chinese rocket debris off Palawan</a></div><p>The Maritime Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Unit-West (MCAAU-W) received information on, October 17, Friday about a floating black bag containing unidentified packages near Sabina Shoal or Escoda Shoal.</p><p>On Saturday, the BRP Lolinato To-ong was dispatched to the area to recover the suspicious bag.</p><p>“The unit received information regarding a floating black bag believed to contain high grade marijuana. It immediately coordinated with the Western Naval Command, and led to the deployment of PG-902, which was conducting maritime patrols in the area,” Martinez told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.</p><p>“On October 18, the suspicious items were retrieved. The packages were turned over yesterday, October 20, to the PDEA in Palawan,” she added.</p><p>The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed that the black bag contained 32 packs of suspected high-grade marijuana worth P19.2 million.</p><p>Martinez said an investigation is underway to determine the source of the drugs.</p><p>“We have monitoring stations across the country… ships that are patrolling also in the area [Sabina or Escoda Shoal]. We could see the traffic that is in that area. You could see the traffic in the area by civilian vessels, traffic by fishing vessels and you could also see, if you would look at the satellite imagery of that area, you would also see this traffic of fishing vessels and commercial vessels and everyone knows that maritime militia are across that area… I cannot say [what] particular vessels deployed these drugs,” the official noted.</p><p>The following day, October 19, while en route to mainland Palawan, the BRP Lolinato To-ong discovered metallic debris bearing Chinese characters some 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Rio Tuba, Bataraza.</p><p>The debris is suspected to have come from a Chinese Long March rocket, though this is still being verified.</p><p>“The BRP To-ong was out for maritime security operations, at the same time, it was able to get debris. They sent it to the authorized agency to properly assess it. It’s a metallic debris. With the metallic debris, they still need to find out what it is related to the alleged rocket reported on social media,” Martinez said.</p><p>The Philippine Navy also reminded fisherfolk and locals to immediately report to authorities sightings of suspected rocket debris.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/28/fisherman-finds-suspected-rocket-debris-in-palawan-pcg-1337">Fisherman finds suspected rocket debris in Palawan — PCG</a></div><p>“We would like to highlight to fishermen and locals in the area that in case they would see any debris, please contact immediately the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR to collect these items. We discourage you to collect these due to safety reasons. We are after your safety. These items will be sent immediately for assessment and verification,” Martinez added.</p><p>Both the illegal drugs and rocket debris have been turned over to authorities in Puerto Princesa on Monday.</p><p>“The operation demonstrates the Philippine Navy’s commitment to inter-agency cooperation and maritime security operations in the WPS,” Martinez said.</p><div><br/></div><div><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/yNni7Mr_U9A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A routine patrol by a Philippine Navy gunboat in the West Philippine Sea led to the recovery of several packs of illegal drugs and suspected Chinese rocket debris, an official said on Tuesday.</p>

A routine patrol by a Philippine Navy gunboat in the West Philippine Sea led to the recovery of several packs of illegal drugs and suspected Chinese rocket debris, an official said on Tuesday.