Phl Navy laments 'possible’ military implications of recovered drone

The Philippine Navy needs six to eight weeks to fully process the forensic analysis of the recently recovered submersible drone in waters off San Pascual, Masbate, lamenting that it could have possibly been utilized for military applications.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, Navy spokesperson Commander John Pierce Alcos said they are still determining the drone’s origin, purpose, and technical specifications since it was retrieved and turned over to the military on 31 December.

He added that the forensic analysis aims to examine the object's physical structure, electronic components, power source, and possible source data.

“While initial observations suggest that it may be a submersible used for scientific research or fish tracking, alternative perspectives point to possible military applications,” Alcos told reporters.

Alcos noted that the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are “on top of the situation.”

“We are taking this very seriously. Further updates will be provided as the forensic analysis progresses,” he said.

Following the discovery of the submersible drone, concerns about a foreign country spying on the Philippines were raised.

In the same press briefing, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Riy Vincent Trinidad noted that the underwater drone was recovered in a “non-operational status” by fisherfolk in Masbate.

“Offhand, I could say that it is bright yellow in color, 3.5 meters in length, 24 centimeters in diameter, and weighs 94 kilograms,” Trinidad said, describing the physical appearance of the retrieved submersible drone.

Trinidad said such assets are used for gathering bathymetric data such as water temperature, depth of water, and salinity.

“Based on the physical description of the equipment, of the item which I have seen, this could be launched by air, by surface ship, or by submarine. The absence of any attachments for airdrop capability would rule out an air-launch platform,” he noted.

Since the wings are not foldable, Trinidad said the Navy could rule out a submarine launch method for the equipment.

“So most likely, this was launched from a mothership, a mother craft. It is not large enough to travel far distances. It needs a mother ship,” he added.

Seriously concerned

Meanwhile, Trinidad said the AFP is treating the matter with utmost seriousness.

“As mentioned, the AFP is on top of the situation and taking this seriously. A lot of speculation has been going on, but let me state that speculation is no substitute for evidence,” he said.

He also denied that the military is downplaying the retrieval of the submersible assets within Philippine waters.

“All our actions and pronouncements are evidence-based. Secondly, it is not the first time that we have come across or received reports, bits and pieces, or specimens of equipment like this,” Trinidad said.

“Just because it doesn't hit the news doesn't mean that we are not doing anything… We have received reports previously, bits and pieces, mga sirang parts of similar equipment and intact specimens, and the AFP is taking appropriate actions,” he added.

Trinidad noted that such equipment is difficult to detect. Thus, the alertness of Filipino fishermen is “an indispensable part” of the government’s implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

He did not comment on how the Navy assesses the retrieval of such foreign equipment in Philippine waters.

“A lot of speculation has been going on. Let me state that speculation is no substitute for evidence,” Trinidad noted.

“The moment it gets to the Philippine Navy and the AFP, we have the appropriate unit, and we conduct appropriate actions to study everything. It would take six to eight weeks. It is a scientific approach… Hence, we do not speculate. Whatever markings are there does not indicate anything. It has to be proven, beyond a reasonable doubt,” he added.

On the other hand, Trinidad said the AFP is currently developing measures and countermeasures to secure and protect the country’s maritime domain “in partnership with our treaty ally and other partner nations, and this includes the field of autonomous and unmanned systems.”

Asked if sightings of foreign assets in Philippine waters are alarming, Trinidad replied, “We are concerned that we have this unusual equipment in our waters. It speaks a lot about our capability to secure and protect our maritime domain.”