Fisherfolk find suspected underwater drone off Pangasinan

Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — Local fisherfolk found an underwater drone in waters off Pangasinan, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the West Philippine Sea, said on Friday.

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Tarriela said the object was found by fisherfolk on Wednesday, approximately 149 nautical miles northwest of Bolinao town.

It measures approximately 160 centimeters in length, 20 inches in width and weighs around 100 kilograms, according to Tarriela.

“The fishermen observed a floating orange object believed to be an underwater drone,” Tarriela said in a statement.

Upon returning to port, the fishermen reported their sighting to the Coast Guard Substation in Infanta town and submitted a notarized affidavit about the incident, according to him.

He added that the alleged underwater drone has since been surrendered to authorities for further investigation and analysis.

Since 2022, authorities have found at least four underwater drones in different parts of the country nationwide.

Two underwater drones were found off the waters of Ilocos Norte and Zambales in 2022, while two other drones were found off Calayan, Cagayan; and Initao, Misamis Oriental, according to Rear Admiral Roy. Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Navy: China likely deployed recently found drones in PH

Trinidad said these submersibles are likely to be of Chinese origin. /jpv