Chinese submarine drone found in Philippine waters raises security concerns

A Chinese underwater drone was found in Philippine waters near San Pascual on December 30. The drone, marked HY-119, is equipped for communication and observation, raising national security concerns, according to local police. This discovery occurs amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where China claims extensive control. The Philippines has been increasingly resisting these claims since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022. The drone has been sent to the Philippine navy for further analysis. The situation follows reports of increased Chinese maritime activity, including the presence of a large Chinese coast guard ship at Scarborough Shoal, a contested area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.