Tolentino asks public to report suspicious maritime activities

Senator Francis Tolentino urged the public to report suspicious maritime activities following the Philippine Navy's disclosure that recovered submersible drones are a national security concern.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that three of the five submersible drones found in the country's waters since 2022 were likely deployed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to map out the Philippines' underwater terrain.

Tolentino noted that these forensic results align with the initial findings of the Senate probe regarding the national security implications of these drones.

The senator cited the PN's examination of drones found in various coastal areas, including one recovered in Masbate on December 30, 2024, as evidence.

These findings intensify suspicions of foreign surveillance operations within Philippine waters, particularly China's alleged deployment of drones to map the seabed and underwater terrain for scientific, commercial, or military use.

Tolentino emphasized the need to defend the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea through diplomatic and legal means.

He also called for greater vigilance and public support for maritime security initiatives.