Manila: Three of the five submersible drones recovered in Philippine waters between 2022 and 2024 may have been deployed by China, according to a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated that forensic examinations have conclusively determined their Chinese origin.
According to Philippine News Agency, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, noted a “55 to 80 percent likelihood” that these undersea platforms were dispatched by China. Trinidad explained that this probability is based on the components found within the drones. While not all parts were marked as made in China, several components are commercially available. Trinidad emphasized that the drones possess the capability to receive, process, store, and transmit data through satellite communications to various points.
Despite the lack of categorical evidence, Trinidad said the chance of Chinese deployment is significant. He outlined the recovery timeline of the drones, which were found in different locations including Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, and San Pascual, Masbate between July 2022 and December 2024.
The third drone, recovered in Calayan Island, Cagayan, was noted as the most intact. All drones underwent Level 1 forensic examinations assessing physical attributes and markings. It was discovered that the first and third drones contained conductivity, temperature, and depth sensors, but their integrated chips were sanitized or defaced, possibly to avert reverse engineering.
One of the drones contained a transceiver and a SIM card linked to companies based in Beijing, suggesting a link to Chinese technology. The fourth drone also had sensors and bore marks from a Chinese corporation. The second drone was too damaged for data retrieval, and the fifth drone is still under analysis.
Data from the intact drones focused on bathymetric data, indicating they may have been deployed to map the Philippines’ underwater terrain. Malaya expressed concerns over the implications for national security and emphasized the need for increased maritime patrols to curb such activities.
