Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino is planning to file a resolution to investigate the submersible drone discovered in the waters of Masbate recently, citing serious concerns over its presence on Philippine maritime security and legal compliance.

In a statement on Friday, Tolentino said he will file a Senate resolution for a “comprehensive investigation” into the incident where fishermen discovered the drone off the coast of Barangay Inawaran in San Pascual town, Masbate.

“This inquiry aims to explore the origins and implications of the drone’s presence in Philippine waters. It is urgent that we understand the drone’s origin and intent,” he said.

Fishermen found the six-foot drone, believed to be of Chinese origin, floating vertically at sea. The drone, which appeared to have been deactivated, appeared to be made of PVC and metal.

An initial assessment indicated it is a remote-controlled electronic device, likely used for communication and navigation.

Citing its preliminary investigation, the Philippine National Police Region 5 office said the drone was a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system.

“While surveillance is expected, a thorough investigation is essential,” Tolentino said, expressing confidence Filipino engineers could reverse-engineer the device if necessary.

Tolentino, who authored the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, highlighted the importance of compliance with these maritime laws, which require foreign vessels to use designated sea lanes when entering Philippine waters.

“We need to determine if unmanned submersibles, like this drone, fall under these laws,” he said.

Under Section 7 of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines, encompassing the rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage the natural resources within these waters.

This includes jurisdiction over artificial islands, marine scientific research, and the vital protection of the marine environment. For any marine scientific research, particularly involving drones, compliance with the provisions of UNCLOS and local laws is mandatory.

Section 10 of the law ensures that such research must benefit the Filipino people and requires appropriate government authorization, while Section 11 emphasizes the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment, applying to all research activities, including those utilizing drones.

Violations of these rights will incur heavy penalties, including fines of $600,000 to $1 million, as outlined in Section 15.

If a drone is confirmed to be of foreign origin, it must comply with Philippine laws and will be subjected to examination by Philippine authorities to ensure compliance with these regulations.

“Drones used for marine scientific research within Philippine maritime zones must comply with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” Tolentino said.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that the drone’s color could indicate its purpose.

“Bright colors like yellow, red, or orange are typically used for scientific research or for tracking schools of fish. They are designed to be visible from the air,” he said.

Tolentino appealed to the public and the authorities to remain vigilant about maritime security, and ensure that all foreign devices comply with Philippine regulations.