The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is weighing the possibility of filing a diplomatic protest over underwater drones recovered in Philippine waters once it is confirmed that these belong to a foreign state.
During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that if the drone is proven to be state-owned, it would constitute a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
De Vega assured lawmakers that the DFA would not hesitate to lodge a formal protest in such a scenario.
“Under Article 245 of UNCLOS, the expressed consent from the coastal state is needed for a foreign country to conduct marine scientific research in its territorial sea,” De Vega said. “So, that is a violation. If China has it, well, we’re gonna protest instead once you admit that the drone is yours.”
According to De Vega, the DFA has not received any information from foreign states claiming the ownership of the submersible drone.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, revealed on Tuesday that five underwater drones have been recovered across different locations in the country since 2024. This includes a recent discovery in San Pascual, Masbate.
“The five that were given to us for forensics. Two were found in Calayan Island; one in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; the most recent one in Masbate; and another one in the waters of Initao, Misamis Oriental,” Trinidad announced in a press conference on Tuesday.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director for Bicol Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon reported that the drone recovered in Masbate bore the marking “HY-119,” which is linked to the Chinese government.