Senate Majority Leader Francis "Tol" Tolentino today called for greater vigilance, following the latest findings disclosed by the Philippine Navy (PN).
Tolentino was referring to the results of the forensic tests conducted on several submersible drones that were recovered from different parts of the country in recent months.
Three of the five submersible drones found in different parts of the country's waters since 2022 were likely deployed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to map out the Philippines’ underwater terrain, according to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to the senator, the forensic results affirm the initial findings of the Senate probe that this is a national security concern.
Tolentino led a Senate inquiry last January on one such a drone that fishermen recovered in San Pascual, Masbate.
He said that what's apparent is that China has been deploying these drones to study the Philippine seabed and map out underwater terrain to gather critical data for scientific, commercial, or military use.
“This development should further bolster our efforts to protect the West Philippine Sea, and to continue to assert through legal and diplomatic means our sovereign rights over our exclusive economic zones and resources,” he said.
“I also call for greater public vigilance. The government derives its strength from the unity of the people. We can serve our country’s interests by promptly reporting any suspicious equipment or activities we may come across, especially in our coastlines,” stressed the senator, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
He reminded the public that if they find a drone, don't tinker with it, don't sell it, or keep it as a souvenir. It is important to immediately notify and turn it over to the local government or police authorities.
He cited the case of the three Masbate fishermen – Jojo Cantela, Rodnie Valenzuela, and Jeric Arojado – who reported about the submersible drone they found floating in their municipal waters on December 30 last year.
The three received a commendation from the Senate in recognition of their courage, vigilance, and nationalism.