China mapping out PH underwater terrain – Zubiri

Metro Manila, Philippines – A lawmaker believes the China-made submersible drone discovered in waters off Masbate in December was part of Beijing’s efforts to map the country’s underwater terrain to its advantage.

“Unfortunately, they are not claiming ownership nitong mga drones na ito but obviously nung tinignan po ng ating mga eksperto itong mga drone na ito ay made in China, very clear. So talagang violation iyan ng territorial integrity ng ating bansa,” Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said in an online interview with reporters on Friday, Jan. 17.

[Translation: Unfortunately, they are not claiming ownership of these drones, but obviously, when our experts examined them, it was very clear that they were made in China. This is undoubtedly a violation of our country’s territorial integrity.]

“Nakakabahala po ‘yan, kasi ang ginagawa nitong mga drone na ito, I’m sure they are mapping out Philippine territory – underwater terrain within the Philippines, kung saan pwedeng makalusot ang kanilang mga submarino,” he added.

[Translation: That is alarming because what these drones are doing, I’m sure, is mapping out Philippine territory – underwater terrain within the country where their submarines could potentially pass through.]

Zubiri said China’s mapping activities had been a topic in his monthly briefings with the National Security Agency and representatives from allied countries during his tenure as Senate president, which he held until May 2024.

“Sabi po nila sa atin (They told us that), China now is actively mapping out our underwater terrain not only in the West Philippine Sea, in the Malacca Strait, also they are trying to go into the territories of Malaysia, in the territories of Indonesia, as well as the Philippines,” he recalled.

He urged the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Navy to search waters for any more foreign drones. He also emphasized the need for the government to invest in helicopters equipped with sonar capabilities.

During a hearing of the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones on Jan. 15, the defense and foreign affairs departments emphasized that no country has claimed ownership of the underwater drone discovered by fishermen in Masbate on Dec. 30, 2024, or of at least four other similar incidents in the past.

Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga said it is clear the drone is a data-gathering device intended for commercial, scientific, or military purposes.

“All the data that can be gathered can be considered as intelligence and information that has multipurpose use to the military and as far as the Defense Department is concerned, we are treating it as a national security matter…. We consider this as a violation of our territory,” he said.