'Tip of the iceberg': Tolentino slams China over alleged string of espionage activities | ABS-CBN
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'Tip of the iceberg': Tolentino slams China over alleged string of espionage activities
'Tip of the iceberg': Tolentino slams China over alleged string of espionage activities
Published Apr 23, 2025 06:31 PM PHT
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Updated Apr 23, 2025 06:45 PM PHT
A submersible drone is brought to the Philippine Senate, April 23, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News
A submersible drone is brought to the Philippine Senate, April 23, 2025. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Sen. Francis Tolentino called out China for its "lack of utter respect" towards the Philippines after discussing alleged espionage activities during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, April 23.
MANILA — Sen. Francis Tolentino called out China for its "lack of utter respect" towards the Philippines after discussing alleged espionage activities during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, April 23.
Quoting other resource persons from the National Bureau of Investigation, Tolentino said recent incidents, such as the discovery of a submersible drone off the waters of San Pascual, Masbate, are just the "the tip of the iceberg" in the supposed espionage.
Quoting other resource persons from the National Bureau of Investigation, Tolentino said recent incidents, such as the discovery of a submersible drone off the waters of San Pascual, Masbate, are just the "the tip of the iceberg" in the supposed espionage.
"Sabi nga, ito ay tip of the iceberg. Nais ko lang linawin, kinakaharap natin ngayon ang isang uri ng pag-eespiya ng China na hindi pa kailanman naranasan sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. At hindi lamang ito naganap minsan kung hindi patuloy," Tolentino said.
"Sabi nga, ito ay tip of the iceberg. Nais ko lang linawin, kinakaharap natin ngayon ang isang uri ng pag-eespiya ng China na hindi pa kailanman naranasan sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. At hindi lamang ito naganap minsan kung hindi patuloy," Tolentino said.
(As I said, this is just the tip of the iceberg. To be clear, we are facing an unprecedented kind of spying by China. And this did not just happen once, it has continued)
(As I said, this is just the tip of the iceberg. To be clear, we are facing an unprecedented kind of spying by China. And this did not just happen once, it has continued)
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"This underscores the lack of utter respect of a country who always consider us as a friend."
"This underscores the lack of utter respect of a country who always consider us as a friend."
SUBMERSIBLE DRONES
The yellow submersible drone with Chinese markings found off Masbate was also brought to the Senate for the hearing, along with a black submersible drone found in Batanes.
The yellow submersible drone with Chinese markings found off Masbate was also brought to the Senate for the hearing, along with a black submersible drone found in Batanes.
According to Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a China Telecom SIM was found inside the black drone.
According to Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a China Telecom SIM was found inside the black drone.
Both drones are capable of collecting bathymetric data, which refers to depth-related information, Trinidad added. But the black drone also has a sensor that can measure characteristics critical to undersea warfare.
Both drones are capable of collecting bathymetric data, which refers to depth-related information, Trinidad added. But the black drone also has a sensor that can measure characteristics critical to undersea warfare.
"Pero lahat naman ng nakukuhang information ng mga drone na ito have different uses. Puwedeng commercial, puwedeng academic, puwedeng scientific research, at puwede ring military use," Trinidad said in a press conference after the hearing.
"Pero lahat naman ng nakukuhang information ng mga drone na ito have different uses. Puwedeng commercial, puwedeng academic, puwedeng scientific research, at puwede ring military use," Trinidad said in a press conference after the hearing.
(But the information that these drones collect have different uses. It can be commercial, academic, for scientific research, and for military use)
(But the information that these drones collect have different uses. It can be commercial, academic, for scientific research, and for military use)
Fisherfolk found the drone back in December 30, 2024, and later handed it over to barangay officials who, in turn, brought it to municipal police.
Fisherfolk found the drone back in December 30, 2024, and later handed it over to barangay officials who, in turn, brought it to municipal police.
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