Cheyenne Suarez

Bicol police tightens coordination with fisherfolk after recovery of underwater drone

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735882287853fisherfolk.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This handout photo from Police Regional Office 5 shows an underwater drone with Chinese markings recovered in Masbate on December 30, 2024."/><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 Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) is strengthening coordination with local governments and coastal communities after a remotely operated submersible drone with Chinese markings was found in the waters off San Pascual, Masbate.</p><p>In a phone interview, PRO-5 Director Brigadier General Andre Dizon said the device, marked HY-119, is believed to be a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.</p><p>Local fisherfolk recovered the 2.72-meter-long drone in the waters off Barangay Inarawan on December 30. They then turned over the drone to barangay officials, who brought the device to the municipal police.</p><div><strong>FISHERFOLK TOLD TO REPORT, BUT NOT RECOVER POTENTIAL DRONES</strong></div><p>Dizon said he has instructed police units in coastal areas to talk to fisherfolk to report suspicious objects they may spot in Philippine waters.</p><p>“Nagbigay na tayo ng abiso sa mga municipal police stations ng Region 5 na abisuhan ang mga mangingisda na baka may makitang ganon, huwag kaagad diskubrihin, bagkus picture-an at ireport sa kinauukulan—sa [Philippine National Police], [Philippine Coast Guard] o Philippine Navy,” the police official noted.</p><p>(We have advised the municipal police stations in Region 5 to advise fisherfolk that if they see similar objects not to recover them but to take pictures and report these to the authorities)</p><p>The Philippine National Police already turned over the drone to the Philippine Navy, which is conducting an investigation into the device’s origin and purpose.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/2/navy-investigates-origin-purpose-of-underwater-drone-recovered-in-masbate-1347">Navy investigates origin, purpose of underwater drone recovered in Masbate</a></div><p> “Ang implication noon ay galing sa ibang bansa na nakapasok sa territorial waters ng Pilipinas, and considering na ang gamit noon ay pangkuha ng information and communications,” Dizon told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Friday.</p><p>(The implication is that the device is from another country and entered the territorial waters of the Philippines. That is for gathering information and communications)</p><p>Dizon said it is not yet known how long the drone was in the waters of Masbate. </p><p>The PRO-5’s explosives ordnance disposal team immediately looked into the device.</p><p> “Nung na-clear na nila ng explosives, dinala na sa Region 5 headquarters,” Dizon said.</p><p>(Once the EOD cleared it, it was brought to Region 5 headquarters)</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/-2tr_vSgMI4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Dizon said he has instructed police units in coastal areas to talk to fisherfolk to report suspicious objects they may spot in Philippine waters.</p>

Dizon said he has instructed police units in coastal areas to talk to fisherfolk to report suspicious objects they may spot in Philippine waters.