Philippines Accuses China of Deploying Underwater Drones in South China Sea, Sparking New Tensions

The Philippine Navy recently made a claim regarding underwater drones discovered by Filipino fishermen. They asserted that these drones, found last year, were likely deployed by China for military purposes. This announcement, reported by Philippine media, is seen as a new tactic to keep the South China Sea issue in the spotlight.

Analysts suggest that the Philippines is attempting to generate media attention and garner external support through this move. They believe that these actions will not fundamentally alter the existing stability in the South China Sea. The Philippine military stated that the drones could gather information useful for underwater warfare, and that at least one had transmitted a signal to China.

The drones were reportedly found in strategically important locations for both national defense and international maritime navigation. This recent accusation comes as the Philippines prepares for large-scale military exercises with the United States, involving a significant number of soldiers.

Experts believe the Philippines is trying to promote the idea of a "China threat" by focusing on the unmanned underwater vehicles. This is seen as a way to maintain the issue's prominence in media discussions and attract attention. The lack of concrete evidence supporting the claims is noted, with accusations of irresponsible speculation and malicious smears. The overall assessment is that these provocations will not destabilize the South China Sea.