Chinese submarine drone discovered in Masbate

A Chinese submarine drone was discovered submerged in the waters of San Pascual, Masbate on 30 December, authorities confirmed Thursday.

In a phone interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, a navy official identified the yellow Chinese underwater navigation and communication system, marked “HY-119,” which is capable of transmitting and receiving data, voice messages, and navigation information. The official further confirmed that the submarine drone allows underwater vessels or devices to communicate with surface units or satellites.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, Police Regional Director in Bicol PBGen. Andre Dizon said the device's light was still flashing when it was found.

Dizon explained that the initially unidentified Chinese submarine drone was first spotted by Rodnie Valenzuela, 30, and two of his companions around 6 AM while they were fishing in the waters of Brgy. Iniwaran, San Pascual, Masbate, about nine kilometers from the San Pascual Municipal Police Station. The fishermen immediately reported the discovery and surrendered the device to local police.

The Chinese submarine drone was then handed over to the Naval Forces of Southern Luzon for further investigation. Dizon also mentioned that a submarine device had reportedly been spotted along the route to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement on Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the turnover of the remotely operated submersible drone from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Philippine Navy.

“The drone was recovered in the vicinity of San Pascual, Masbate, by local fisherfolk. The Navy is currently conducting further investigation to determine its origin and purpose,” said AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.

Trinidad noted that the incident “underscores the importance of collaboration with local fisherfolk and maritime stakeholders.” He urged local coastal communities to continue cooperating with the government in overseeing Philippine waters.

“We commend their vigilance and continued support in reporting suspicious activities and encourage ongoing cooperation to ensure the effective monitoring of our territorial waters,” he added.

Trinidad emphasized the AFP’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the country’s maritime domain, “with all necessary resources mobilized to address similar and other situations with the utmost diligence.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is investigating the origin and purpose of the submarine drone.

In a related press statement, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers suggested that the discovery of the underwater drone indicates that China may have been gathering intelligence in Philippine waters for some time.

Amid the discovery of the Chinese submarine drone, Barbers urged the government to consider Surigao del Norte as the site for a new naval facility under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.

He pointed out that an EDCA naval site in Surigao del Norte would provide a critical line of defense against foreign intrusions and potential resource exploitation, particularly deuterium deposits.

Barbers warned that foreign entities could be conducting intelligence operations focused on deuterium and other mineral resources in Philippine waters.

“With the growing global race to find renewable sources of fuel or energy like deuterium, which is reportedly abundant in the deep seas off the country’s eastern seaboard, it’s not farfetched that China might be seeking access to it,” Barbers said.

Deuterium, a hydrogen isotope, is widely used in prototype fusion reactors and has applications in military, industrial, and scientific fields. It is also used as a tracer in nuclear fusion reactors and helps to moderate neutrons in heavy water reactors.