Senator Francis Tolentino is pushing for a Senate inquiry into the submersible drone that was discovered by fishermen off the waters of Masbate recently.
Tolentino cited the potential serious concerns of its presence on Philippine maritime security and legal compliance.
The senator said he will file a Senate resolution calling for a comprehensive probe into the incident “to explore the origins and implications of the drone’s presence” in the country’s waters.
“It is urgent that we understand the drone's origin and intent,” Tolentino said in a statement.
The six-foot drone were found by fishermen floating vertically at the sea in Brgy. Inawaran in San Pascual town Masbate. Authorities believed that the equipment came from China.
The drone, which appeared deactivated when it was found, appared to be made from PVC and metal. Initial assessments indicated it is a remote-controlled electronic device, likely used for communication and navigation.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office-5 (PRO-5) Director P/BGen. Andre Dizon said in an interview on DZRH radio that preliminary research suggests the drone is a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.
"While surveillance efforts are expected, a thorough investigation is essential," Tolentino stressed, saying he is confident in the ability of Philippine engineers to reverse-engineer the device if needed.
The senator also stressed the importance of compliance with maritime laws, referencing the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064) and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law (RA 12065), which require foreign vessels to use designated sea lanes when entering Philippine waters.
“We need to determine if unmanned submersibles, like this drone, fall under these regulations,” Tolentino said.
If a drone is confirmed to be of foreign origin, the senator said it must comply with the country’s law and should be subjected to examination by Philippine authorities to ensure compliance with these regulations.
“Drones used for marine scientific research within Philippine maritime zones must comply with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, “ Tolentino said.
Under Section 7 of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines, encompassing the rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources within these waters.
This includes artificial islands, marine scientific research, and the vital protection of the marine environment. For any marine scientific research, particularly involving drones, compliance with the provisions of UNCLOS and local laws is mandatory.
Section 10 of the law also guarantees that any scientific research must benefit the Filipino people and requires appropriate government authorization; Section 11, meanwhile, emphasizes the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment, applying to all research activities, including those utilizing drones.
Stringent penalties await those who would be found violating the law, including fines of $600,000 to $1 million, as outlined in Section 15.