Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo expressed concern about the lack of anti-drone technology at airports and other critical government establishments in the country.
In the committee’s hearing recently, Capt. Ian Michael del Castillo from the Flight Operations Department of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) admitted that they still do not implement counter-drone measures in the country because the subscription for it is high cost.
“Posibleng maging seryosong banta ito sa ating national security lalo pa’t malaya ang sinuman na makabili at makapagpalipad ng drones sa Pilipinas dahil na rin sa maluwag na regulasyon.”
Tulfo stressed that “posibleng maging seryosong banta ito sa ating national security lalo pa’t malaya ang sinuman na makabili at makapagpalipad ng drones sa Pilipinas dahil na rin sa maluwag na regulasyon”.
“Maaaring magamit sa terorismo ang drones dahil pwede itong kargahan ng high explosive bombs at ibangga sa mga eroplano o dili kaya ay ibagsak sa matataong lugar. Gayundin ang posibilidad na magamit ang drones para puntiryahin ang mga kampo o vital military installations ng AFP at PNP,” the legislator added.
According to Castillo, CAAP has no expertise in such matters and that they are only for civil aviation, adding that they are still studying the acquisition of an anti-drone technology solution that they say will cost $1M for subscription or approximately P58M per month.
The lawmaker expressed dismay because it appears that CAAP lacked the initiative to find other means to protect the lives of millions of passengers and civilians who may be affected when drones are used by bad guys.
“There is still a cheap and effective way to have anti-drone measures in airports such as the use of highly trained birds.”
Billy Pascua, an expert in anti-drone solutions, meanwhile, countered Castillo’s statement and said that there is still a cheap and effective way to have anti-drone measures in airports such as the use of highly trained birds that are actually trained to chase and shoot down drones.
Tulfo agreed to Pascua, saying that based on his research, the Netherlands and France are already using eagles. Pascua likewise added that such low-cost approach is also being used at airports in Ireland.
As such, the senator urged CAAP to study the possibility of obliging commercial airline companies to contribute to subsidize the acquisition of the anti-drone solution because their planes are also intended to be protected by it.
He promised that he will focus on CAAP’s action until it has a concrete solution to implement effective counter-drone measures and adopt regulations for the responsible use of drones in the country.
