The Philippines has sought help from its foreign partners to determine the origin of an underwater drone found off the coast of Masbate Island in the central Philippine archipelago, the television channel ABS-CBN News reported.
“This drone is apparently used for reconnaissance and surveillance, so it is extremely important for the Philippines to determine its origin and purposes. We are also working closely with foreign counterparts to obtain additional information on this matter“, said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council.
As the television channel notes, the drone was discovered on December 30. Philippine police and military believe that it may be of Chinese origin, but Malaya said it was too early to draw conclusions. "It could have come from anywhere, so we're trying to determine what ships passed through that area," he said.