The Philippine Navy (PN) retrieved suspected marijuana worth P19.2 million floating in the vicinity waters of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and a rocket debris bearing the flag of the People's Republic of China in Palawan, it was announced on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

The PN said a floating black bag containing unidentified packages believed to be high-grade marijuana was found in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal on Oct. 18 by personnel of the Western Naval Command (WNC) and Maritime Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Unit–West (MCAAU-W).

The Navy initially received a tip about the presence of the floating drugs, prompting them to conduct retrieval operation through BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) which was conducting maritime and sovereignty patrols in the area at the time.

The drugs were turned over by the Navy to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for evaluation and proper disposition.

The PDEA said the black bag yielded 32 clear and black plastic bags containing approximately 16 kilos of suspected kush.

Meanwhile, a suspected Chinese rocket debris was also recovered by the PN off Bataraza, Palawan on Monday, Oct. 20.

Sailors aboard BRP Lolinato To-Ong, while patrolling the WPS, sighted a metallic debris approximately 12.17 nautical miles southeast of Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

The debris had a marking resembling a Chinese flag.

The BRP Lolinato To-Ong conducted retrieval operations and secured the debris aboard the vessel.

The debris was transported to Puerto Princesa City for proper documentation, assessment and disposition.

“The recovery of such debris underscores the importance of continued maritime surveillance in protecting Philippine waters and ensuring the safety of local communities potentially affected by foreign rocket remnants,” Captain Ellaine Rose N. Collado, spokesperson of WNC, said.