Tolentino sounds alarm over underwater drones found in PH waters

Senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday expressed concern over the unmanned underwater drones that have been retrieved by fishermen in Philippine waters.

The lawmaker made the remark after the Philippine Navy presented before the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones the submersibles of unknown origins, one of them is the HY-119 or the yellow underwater drone recovered in waters off San Pascual, Masbate last January. 

Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that most of the drones recovered were from the waters off Batanes, Masbate, and Initao. 

“The Philippine Navy is now in possession of different types of drones like these which have been turned over to our laboratory for forensic examination. What is alarming about this is for the past two years, we have received a good number of reports….We have received reports of equipment being found ashore by our fishermen,” he said. 

When Tolentino asked how many more underwater drones there could be? Trinidad replied: “This is only the tip of the iceberg.” 

The senator was alarmed with the Navy official’s statement. 

“Kung ito ay only tip of the iceberg ay siguro lahat ng karagatan natin ay may mga ganito sa ilalim,” said Tolentino. 

(If this is only the tip of the iceberg, it's most likely that all our waters have these underneath.) 

Trinidad replied: “Possible, Mr. Chair, very possible.” 

The Navy, however, said it has have sensors that could detect the presence of such drones underwater. 

“Yes, Mr. Chair, there are sensors that could detect even equipment smaller than these. Currently, Mr. Chair, we rely more on our government agencies and fisherfolks who give us the report,” said Trinidad. 

For his part, Tolentino said the Navy should improve its capability to detect underwater drones. 

“Hindi po ba tama na magkaroon na rin tayo ng protocols in place that will enable our ordinary fisherfolk and yung mga laging nasa dagat to really have in place a standard on how to report on these? Kailangan ba tayo magbigay ng reward?”

(Isn’t it right that we also have protocols in place that will enable our ordinary fisherfolk and those who are always at sea to have a standard on how to report on these? Do we need to give a reward?) 

The Philippine Navy said it now has closer coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Police, and other agencies in the maritime domain. 

“We will work towards coming up with a common operating protocol on how to handle such gadgets in the waters of the Philippines,” said Trinidad. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News