National Security Council Assistant Director general Jonathan Malaya during a joint NTF-WPS press conference at the PCG Office in Manila on March 6, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- An official of the National Security Council expressed alarm over the underwater drones found in Philippine waters, saying they are "conclusively of Chinese origin."

Five underwater drones were recovered in various parts of the country from 2022 to 2024. 

The drones were discovered between 2022 and 2024 in locations "important strategically in the defense and the security not only of the country but for international maritime navigation", Philippine military officials said.

"We always consider these types of activities by Chinese agents as alarming because the forensic investigation done on the drones that were found in strategic locations in the country… were found to be conclusively of Chinese origin. In fact some of the components there were found to be manufactured by China state organizations. So evidently, I think now we can conclusively say that these are Chinese underwater drones," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said.

National Maritime Council Spokesperson Usec. Alexander Lopez said the drones can be used for both military and non-military purposes.

"Indeed, almost 80% of the parts that they have disassembled and undergone forensics have all Chinese markings. They have all Chinese markings. And we cannot speculate, but these drones can be used for non-military or military purposes. Multi-purpose," he explained.

"This really shows the extent of the operations in the Philippines. We have arrested several, more than 10 agents, Chinese agents in the Philippines, doing different types of espionage activities. And now we have this equipment being used also for intelligence," Malaya added.

Three of the drones were found off the north coast of Luzon, including two near the Balintang Channel south of Taiwan, Trinidad said. 

Two others were retrieved from what were identified as "critical chokepoints", one near Masbate Island in the central Philippines and another near the southern island of Mindanao.

READ: Captured underwater drone sent messages to China: Philippine military

ALLEGED ESPIONAGE

Malaya meanwhile urged China to give due process to Filipinos arrested over alleged espionage, asserting that there is nothing to tie them to these activities.

"We stand by the fact, their relatives in Palawan have stated so, the Palawan provincial government has mentioned also that there is no way these three individuals can be spies— wala silang military training, they were not caught handling sophisticated eavesdropping equipment. There is nothing to tie them to any alleged espionage activities," Malaya said.

"We wanted to protect also our three Filipino citizens who were not in any way caught in the act. Ang kaibahan doon sa nangyari sa mga naaresto natin (na alleged Chinese agents) sa Pilipinas is they were caught in the act. We have solid evidence against them. These are not concocted evidences, and they are now facing charges in court. It is now under the DOJ, it's moving. And we assured the Chinese embassy that they will have their day in court… they will be given due process. Ang pakiusap lang natin sa PRC is give the same treatment to the three Filipinos there in China," he added.

"Noong lumabas ang balita na may confession, at noong nakita natin 'yung confession, ipinalabas ba ng CCTV, Chinese state media, at noong lumabas, obvious naman to our mind na scripted, even 'yung mention of Philippine Intelligence Agency na wala namang ganoon, that really raised our eyebrows," Malaya noted.

READ: NSC casts doubt on 'confessions' by Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage