Fishermen Discover Chinese Underwater Drone Near Palawan Waters
BREAKING NEWS: Filipino fishermen have made a startling discovery, turning over a 12-foot-long underwater drone labeled in Chinese to the Philippine Coast Guard. This incident occurred on September 28, 2023, in the waters near Palawan, raising urgent concerns over Chinese surveillance activities in the region.
The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the fishermen’s report, praising their swift action.
“We commend the quick action of the local fishermen for reporting this find,”
stated Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, in a statement released on social media.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the drone is equipped with a compact probe designed to measure seawater salinity, temperature, and depth—typical functions for devices used in oceanographic profiling. The Coast Guard noted that the rugged metal frame is characteristic of autonomous underwater vehicles, commonly referred to as “underwater drones.”
This incident is not isolated; the Coast Guard has recovered at least three other drones believed to be linked to Chinese operations since July 2022. These earlier drones contained evidence suggesting connections to China, including China Telecom SIM cards and components marked by Chinese defense contractors.
The discovery amplifies the growing tensions in the South China Sea, a critical maritime region where both China and the Philippines assert competing sovereignty claims. Just last month, a collision occurred between a Chinese navy warship and a China Coast Guard cutter while pursuing a Philippine vessel, resulting in significant damage to both Chinese ships.
In a previous incident earlier this year, fishermen discovered another Chinese underwater drone about six miles off the coast of a small island in Masbate. This pattern of discoveries raises alarms about potential surveillance and territorial violations by Chinese forces.
The Philippine Coast Guard, represented by spokesperson Jay Tarriela, has consistently urged China to comply with international maritime regulations and to approach such incidents with professionalism.
“Reckless behavior at sea could ultimately lead to accidents,”
Tarriela cautioned, underscoring the gravity of these encounters.
As tensions escalate, the Philippine government is likely to intensify its monitoring efforts in the South China Sea. Observers are closely watching how this situation will develop, particularly in light of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address maritime disputes in the region.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities continue to investigate the implications of these underwater drone discoveries.
