‘Submersible drone found in Masbate came from China’

MANILA, Philippines —  The submersible drone found in the waters off Masbate in December came from China, according to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG).

During a hearing of the  Senate special committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones yesterday, PNP-MG chief Jonathan Cabal confirmed that the yellow drone marked “HY-119” came from China.

“It is a Chinese-made submersible drone. There is no such submersible drone in our commercial enterprises. That’s why we surmised that this is not commercially available, but of a military grade or for scientific purpose,” Cabal said, citing results of their research.

As to other drones recovered in the country in the past, Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga said the government could not yet make a conclusion about the origin of these drones as no country has claimed them.

“But as far as the Department of National Defense is concerned, we will always consider these devices as a threat, an intrusion to our sovereignty, regardless of whether they have commercial or military specifications,” Madriaga said.

Committee chair Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino commended fishermen Rodnie Valenzuela, Jojo Cantela and Jeric Arojado for turning over the drone to the police.

The fishermen attended the Senate hearing on Tolentino’s invitation.