A suspected Chinese underwater drone has been discovered in waters off the Philippines, according to local law enforcement, against a backdrop of tense territorial disputes between the neighbors.
The Republican Voice reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Philippine Armed Forces with written requests for comment.
Why It Matters
China claims control over nearly all the South China Sea, which includes the exclusive economic zones of several neighbors, including the Philippines.
Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, Manila has increasingly pushed back, prompting Chinese maritime forces to step up their presence in Philippine waters.
This has led to clashes over disputed features, such as the Spratly Islands’ Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal, with Chinese coast guard vessels deploying aggressive tactics, including ramming and water cannons, to drive off Philippine government ships.
What To Know
An unmanned underwater drone was discovered in waters near San Pascual in the province of Masbate, at approximately 6 a.m. on December 30, Police Brig. General Andre Dizon of the Bicol Region Philippine National Police told The Manila Times.
The yellow device, marked HY-119, was identified as Chinese-made. Dizon noted that such vehicles are used by China for communication and navigation.
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The drone was sent to Philippine navy forces on Luzon Island for further examination.
While unarmed, the police report on the drone cited potential national security implications, The Daily Tribune reported.
The discovery comes after China’s CCG 5901, the world’s largest coast guard ship, reportedly appeared at Scarborough Shoal, a contested reef and traditional fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The 12,000-ton vessel, nicknamed “the Monster,” was tracked there on Wednesday by Ray Powell, director of the Stanford University-affiliated SeaLight project.
Chinese maritime forces seized effective control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012, which remains a flashpoint for dramatic standoffs between Chinese forces and Philippine government missions attempting to patrol or assist local fishing boats.
An exclusive economic zone extends 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from a country’s coastline, granting that state sole rights to natural resources under maritime law.
What People Are Saying
Andre Dizon, Brig. General with the Bicol Region Philippine National Police: “Based on our open source research on the internet, HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system,” Dizon told the Daily Tribune. “
It had an antenna and an eye that could be used for viewing. Based on our research, this could be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.”
What’s Next
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China is likely to maintain its heavy coast guard, naval and paramilitary presence within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. For its part, the Philippines is expected to continue defying China’s sweeping South China Sea claims.
Following an incident near Scarborough Shoal in December—when Philippine officials reported that Chinese vessels sideswiped and fired water cannons at a fisheries bureau vessel—Marcos Jr. stated he would refrain from deploying naval warships to contested areas, citing the need to avoid escalation.
source: newsweek.com/china-news-submarine-discovered-philippine-waters
