The Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), citing information from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), disclosed Thursday that the recent video of an “unidentified floating object” in the waters of Bohol was not new since it was captured and reported to authorities last July 27, 2024.
“Per coordination with PCG-Bohol Substation, the unidentified floating object reported in Valencia and Garcia Hernandez, Bohol, was actually discovered last July 27, 2024, as per a viral Facebook post,” PNP-MG Police Community Relations Section chief Police Captain Carina Oliquino said.
“The PCG clarified that this is not a recent incident,” she added.
The PNP-MG disclosed the information amid reports that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has initiated an investigation into the said video amid its recent circulation on social media.
“The AFP, through the Visayas Command, has prioritized the investigation into the reported discovery of unidentified equipment floating at sea,” said AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad in a statement late Wednesday.
The video was posted last January 19, 2025 by a group on Facebook named “Philippine Defense Force Forum” and captioned “an underwater glider surfaced near a fisherman’s boat in Bohol.”
Trinidad added that all appropriate AFP units and forces, particularly the Naval Forces Central, are actively coordinating and working together to gather details to “ascertain the nature of this incident.”
As of this time, Trinidad said the AFP does not have the equipment in its possession to conduct a forensic investigation.
“We urge the individual who discovered the equipment and posted it on social media to immediately coordinate with the nearest military or naval units to ensure the proper handling and disposition of the item,” he added.