MANILA:  , A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday ( Jan 2 ), warning of “potential national security implications”.
According to a police report, three fishing found the helicopter on Monday about 9 kilometers off the Masbate province’s San Pascual coast.
The Philippines and China have long had diplomatic disagreements over reef and islet freedom in the South China Sea.
China asserts that it has a legal foundation despite foreign criticism and competing claims from other nations.
The yellow” HY-119″ aircraft, which was discovered floating at sea before being handed over to government, local authorities producer Andre Dizon told AFP.
It was about 2m extended and torpedo-shaped with tails.
” Based on our open-source studies in the internet… HY-119 refers to a Chinese marine transportation and communication system”, Dizon said.
It has a viewing attention and an transmitter, according to the manufacturer. Based on our research, this can be used for surveillance and recon”.
Dizon said the aircraft was not armed, but the police statement listed “potential national surveillance repercussions” as one value of its treatment.
It was turned over by officers to the Spanish Navy on Tuesday, Dizon added.
The Spanish Navy and the Chinese Embassy in Manila have not yet responded to AFP’s request for comment.