A wave of suspected Chinese espionage has triggered alarm in the Philippine Senate, prompting an investigation into the discovery of underwater drones and the arrest of foreign operatives allegedly spying on the country’s military and maritime assets.

The recent recovery of submersible drones and the disruption of espionage activities involving Chinese nationals across the country signal what Senator Francis Tolentino described as a determined, continuous, and pervasive assault by the People’s Republic of China.

Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, led a hearing on April 23 attended by senior officials of the military and law enforcement agencies.

The senator underscored a troubling pattern of individuals being apprehended for covertly gathering sensitive information, describing these activities as criminal and unmistakably consistent with espionage. He noted that similar incidents have occurred repeatedly over the past weeks and months, including in April.

“In every single case, the same nexus of responsibility has emerged. Every investigation leads to one source: the People’s Republic of China,” Tolentino said in mixed Filipino and English.

Underwater drones raise red flags

Tolentino raised concerns over unmanned submersible drones recovered by Filipino fishermen, suggesting they point to a broader pattern of foreign intrusion.

“I think these are all over the country now as we are conducting this hearing,” he warned.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy on West Philippine Sea matters, acknowledged the severity of the threat.

During the hearing, the country’s Navy presented various recovered submersibles of unknown origin, including the HY-119 — a yellow underwater drone retrieved off San Pascual last January. Most of the drones reportedly surfaced in Batanes, Masbate, and Initao.

“The Philippine Navy is now in possession of different types of drones, which have been turned over to our laboratory for forensic examination. What’s alarming about this is for the past two years, we’ve received a growing number of reports of equipment being found ashore by our fishermen,” Trinidad said.

Asked how many more may be hidden beneath Philippine waters, Trinidad responded: “This is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“If this is only the tip of the iceberg, it’s most likely that all our waters have these underneath,” Tolentino said, to which Trinidad affirmed, “Possible, Mr. Chair, very possible.”

According to Trinidad, the Navy has underwater sensors capable of detecting such devices, but it currently relies heavily on information from other government agencies and local fishermen.

“Yes, Mr. Chair, there are sensors that could detect even equipment smaller than these (drones),” said Trinidad. “Currently, Mr. Chair, we rely more on our government agencies and fisherfolks who give us the report.”

Tolentino called for the development of clearer detection and reporting protocols.

“Shouldn’t we already have protocols in place so our ordinary fisherfolk and those frequently at sea know exactly how to report these sightings? Do we need to offer rewards?” he asked.

Trinidad said coordination is improving among the Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, and other agencies. 

“We will work towards coming up with a common operating protocol on how to handle such gadgets in the waters of the Philippines,” he said.

The session also addressed Senate Resolution No. 1328, which seeks to investigate the alleged surveillance activities of six Chinese nationals and a Filipino arrested in March in Subic, Zambales, over alleged maritime espionage.

Tolentino stressed that the espionage operations targeted Philippine military bases, evaluated national defense capabilities, monitored naval and troop movements, and gathered intelligence related to West Philippine Sea operations, all under the guise of “friendship” from China.

“The actions of these people are not just about stealing information — it is even more concerning that this information has the potential to put our country and our fellow citizens in great danger and peril,” Tolentino said. 

“(This kind of) information that could create turmoil in our economy, information that could be used to harm our fellow citizens, information that could also damage our government.”

A coordinated effort?

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) added another layer of concern, revealing signs that Chinese operatives may have been monitoring Philippine naval missions even before vessels departed Palawan.

“There is a possibility, Mr. Chair, that the ‘Palawan 5’ — five Chinese nationals arrested in January — were conducting surveillance on our vessels en route to the West Philippine Sea,” said Van Homer Angluben of the NBI Cybercrime Division during the hearing.

“We received information from the military that Chinese vessels were aware of our resupply missions before our ships even departed Palawan,” he added.

The NBI, in cooperation with military intelligence, is actively validating intelligence reports indicating ongoing foreign surveillance efforts.

The Senate investigation, backed by Senate Resolutions No. 1267 and No. 1328, has brought the escalating threat into sharp focus.

According to Tolentino, this campaign of espionage has reached crisis levels, citing breaches in military operations and cyberattacks on critical government institutions.

“These activities can be considered criminal,” he said, citing Commonwealth Act No. 616 and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

He commended authorities for the recent arrests and pushed for swift prosecution and conviction.

“The information [gathered through espionage activities] puts our security at risk — including information on activity at our military bases, our state of military preparedness, our ability to protect the West Philippine Sea, and where our ships and sailors are located. That is what’s truly alarming,” the senator said.

“We are facing a wave of Chinese espionage that is nothing like we have experienced in our nation’s history. This is not an isolated event. Again, I repeat the words coming from a resource person — that this is just the ‘tip of the iceberg,’” Tolentino said.

Photos credit: Senate of the Philippines. Senator Francis Tolentino leads a Senate hearing on April 23, investigating maritime espionage by foreign nationals, as he calls for stronger Philippine anti-espionage laws.