The Philippine Coast Guard confiscated a Chinese-made autonomous underwater vessel operating within the country’s waters in the South China Sea over the weekend, marking the latest seizure of Beijing’s subsurface drones by Manila in recent years.
Filipino fishermen discovered the 12-foot-long drone Sunday and turned it over to a Philippine Coast Guard station on Linapacan. An agency press release highlighted the Chinese markings on the drone and its similarity with previously recovered vessels from other parts of the Philippines.
The agency’s preliminary investigation claimed that the drone was equipped with a conductivity, temperature and depth sensor for oceanographic survey operations. Manila has recovered at least five Chinese-origin drones between July 2022 and December 2024, according to Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela.
“Recovered units have shown capabilities for autonomous data processing, storage and satellite transmission, with one case revealing encrypted communications to mainland China during operations,” reads the release.
Two of these vessels were nabbed within Philippine archipelagic waters off Misamis Oriental and Masbate. The other two were found in the Luzon Strait, a strategic waterway separating the first and second island chains that has seen increased Philippine, Chinese and American military activities amid concerns of a potential Taiwan contingency spillover. In April, the Philippine Navy presented the recovered drones and claimed that they were likely sent by China to map out the country’s waters, potentially for military purposes.
“We commend the quick action of the local fishermen for reporting this find. This incident highlights the need for continued community awareness and a whole-of-nation approach to deter unauthorized activities in our waters,” Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gavan stated in the release.
Beijing’s naval deployments to the South China Sea within the Philippines western exclusive economic zone has seen numerous survey ships dispatched to the disputed waters, of which China claims as its own under the 10-dash line. Last month, a specialized drone mothership was spotted surveying Scarborough Shoal. Chinese research vessels have also been spotted operating in Manila’s northern and eastern exclusive economic zones.
Aside from unmanned incursions, Philippine intelligence agencies exposed early this year alleged Chinese surveillance activities around military facilities across the country. A group of Chinese nationals were arrested in Subic Bay on espionage charges after they reportedly collected photos and arrival dates of American warships visiting the strategic port.
Rocio Gatdula, a Washington-based defense economist analyst, told USNI News that the recent drone recovery demonstrated China’s ability to “compromise the situational awareness of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and potentially facilitate future incursions.”
“China’s objectives may include mapping the Philippines’ underwater topography to support submarine and naval operations, gathering intelligence for military, navigational and resource purposes, and reinforcing territorial claims through surveillance and presence to advance its “historical rights” narrative, particularly around Palawan and key sea lanes,” Gatdula said.
Gatdula also stated that allies such as the U.S. could aid the Philippines by providing advanced maritime sensors and enhanced training on the detection of underwater drones.
“Additionally, investing in technical support for forensic analysis of recovered drones would support Manila’s ability to counter incursions, improve early warning systems and reinforce deterrence against persistent Chinese maritime aggressions,” Gatdula said.
