Five underwater drones found by Philippine fishermen were capable of gathering information that could aid in "underwater warfare", the country's military says, noting that at least one had relayed a signal to China. The revelation follows months of confrontations between the Philippines and China in the disputed South China Sea and comes as Manila prepares for large-scale military exercises with treaty ally the United States later this month. Speaking at a Tuesday press briefing, military officials said the drones had been found between 2022 and 2024 in locations "important strategically in the defence and the security not only of the country but for international maritime navigation". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES