MANILA, Philippines — Despite the high likelihood that the underwater drone discovered near Masbate province was used for scientific purposes, it still can be considered a national security concern according to Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino.
Tolentino in a press briefing on Monday stressed that national security does not only involve military matters, but also other issues like food security.
Prior to this, the Senator said that the underwater drone, suspected to be Chinese of origin, was probably used for scientific explorations as submersibles for this purpose are colored red or yellow. Military drones, on the other hand, are black.
By the closing bell, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) shed 0.26 percent, or 19.31 points, to 7,437, snapping a two-session winning streak.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Tolentino wants Senate probe into suspected Chinese drone near Masbate
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Manila’s ex-trash collector: We didn’t abandon duty, we weren’t paid NEWSINFO Pangilinan: Enforce 20% PWD discount notices at restaurants, etc NEWSINFO Tulfo: I was an undocumented worker in US; that’s the only mistake I made“When you define national security, it is not only military lingo per se. National security encompasses economic, social, even food security. It goes together. So it can be a prelude to research that would probably lead to something bigger than the research itself. The product can be used for anything,” Tolentino said.
fruit spinREAD: West PH Sea: Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone
Article continues after this advertisement“The surface of the water, what kind of sand is there? What kind of corals are available? What species of fish? What possible natural resource can be seen there? These are some of the things that may be surveyed there,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementTolentino also believes that the drone probably came from a mothership which was launched by a foreign country. However, he also said it is possible that the drone has been deactivated and was only washed near the shore of San Pascual, Masbate.
Article continues after this advertisement“So most probably it came from a bigger vessel that was launched. Although there is also a possibility that this was already deactivated and it just washed ashore. So there is a big possibility that this was not launched from San Pascual, maybe it was done in a different area, it was already deactivated and just moved near the shore,” he said.
“How many cyclones have hit the country, especially Region 5? From (Typhoon) Kristine, so it is possible that it was swept by the waves because its battery is almost dead. It surely has emitted information and signals to its mothership,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Senator earlier filed a resolution, urging the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones to check on the drone which was discovered last December 30, 2024.
According to Tolentino, there are several questions that have to be answered — like if the drone’s operation had been authorized by the Philippine government.
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Police reports said three fishermen found the drone, which was floating at sea. Police Regional Office – 5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the drone was not armedsbet, but the reports listed “potential national security implications” as one significance of its recovery.
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