Senate probe confirms Chinese drones threaten PH waters

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has called for increased vigilance following new findings by the Philippine Navy (PN) regarding submersible drones recovered from various parts of the country.

Forensic tests revealed that three out of five submersible drones found since 2022 were likely deployed by China to map underwater terrain in Philippine waters, according to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.

Tolentino's Senate probe confirmed these drones pose a national security threat and suspects they are being used for scientific, commercial, or military purposes by China.

The senator urged the public to report any suspicious maritime activities while emphasizing that citizens should not tamper with recovered devices but instead surrender them to local authorities.

He stressed the importance of defending Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea through diplomatic and legal means, citing recent forensic results as a validation of initial findings.

Tolentino also honored Masbate fishermen Jojo Cantela, Rodnie Valenzuela, and Jeric Arojado for reporting a submersible drone they found on December 30, 2024.