Fishermen Find Suspected Chinese Spy Drone in Central Philippines
Philippine police examine the suspicious drone (PNP)Philippine police examine the suspicious drone
This week, Philippine fishermen recovered a Chinese surveillance drone off the coast of Ambulong Island, well within the archipelago's internal waters. The small island is about 400 nautical miles away from the nearest Chinese bases in the South China Sea, including at least 100 nautical miles of coastal pilotage through the Philippines' central islands.
The drone is about six feet long, and is marked "HY-119." The police have turned it over to the Philippine Navy for further analysis, and an investigation is under way, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"The recovery of the HY-119 system has significant implications, as it provides insights into advanced underwater technology and naval capabilities," said the Philippine National Police in a statement.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, thanked the local fishermen for finding the suspicious device and turning it in. Philippine Navy sources told local media that the drone sub is believed to be a Chinese ISR device, capable of monitoring, recording and transmitting data.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/fishermen-find-suspected-chinese-spy-drone-in-central-philippines
