Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Citing the need to determine if there are possible implications on Philippine national security, Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino filed Senate Resolution 1267 directing the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones to conduct an investigation into the discovery of a submersible drone in Masbate last December 30, 2024.The drone is said to most likely be of Chinese origin.According to Tolentino, it might be for scientific research because it is yellow in color; a drone used for military purposes is supposedly black. “Maraming tanong na dapat sagutin. Maraming himala na dapat malaman. I was informed it will take eight weeks, eight weeks to have the inquiry of the Philippine Navy concluded,” Tolentino said in a press conference shortly after filing the resolution on Monday. “Mayroon bang nilabag? Tignan natin kung ano yung madi-discover sa forensics. At siguro sa investigation dapat masagot din ng Department of Foreign Affairs kung mayroong permit sa coastal state sang-ayon sa UNCLOS, ang Pilipinas, para mag-conduct ng scientific at marine research ang isang dayuhan,” he added.Asked if the drone poses a threat to national security, Tolentino said, “When you define national security hindi naman ito military lingo per se, definition. National security encompasses economic, social, even food security. Magkakasama lahat yan. So it might be, 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. Yung ilalim nung dagat ano ba yung uri ng buhangin? Ano ba yung uri ng mga corals, ano ba yung uri ng isda? Ano ba yung puwedeng makitang natural resources?”Tolentino also wants to know if the use of the submersible drone had a permit, which is mandated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Philippine Maritime Zones Act. “Halos patay na siya dead battery na siya. Nakapag-emit na siya sigurado ng information at signals kung saan yung mother ship,” the Senator said.To be invited to the inquiry are the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).Chinese embassy officials are not included in the list of resource persons since they have immunity, according to Tolentino. He leaves it to the DFA to file a diplomatic protest if needed.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino has filed a Senate Resolution directing the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones to conduct an investigation into the discovery of a submersible drone in Masbate last December 30, 2024.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino has filed a Senate Resolution directing the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones to conduct an investigation into the discovery of a submersible drone in Masbate last December 30, 2024.

Tolentino files resolution to investigate suspected Chinese submersible drone | ABS-CBN

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Tolentino files resolution to investigate suspected Chinese submersible drone

Tolentino files resolution to investigate suspected Chinese submersible drone

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 06, 2025 05:40 PM PHT

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