‘No reason to doubt US explanation on drone’

MANILA, Philippines - Amid sovereignty issues, the government will not question the presence of a US drone found off Masbate, Malacañang said yesterday. Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said there is no reason to doubt the US government’s statement that the drone was used in a war exercise outside the Philippines.

“We’re satisfied with the explanations that have been given to us so far. We have no reason to doubt that explanation at this point,” Carandang said.

“The information that we have is that that was not a drone that was used in Philippine waters. I think you’re familiar with reports that it was naval training exercise outside Philippine waters,” he told reporters in a briefing.

Carandang, however, clarified that the investigation being conducted by the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission will still continue. 

He reiterated that they are content with the US explanation “for now.” “Everything will continue. There hasn’t been any sort of final resolution to this. I’m just sharing with you the information that we have right now. There are bodies that are calling for investigations and we respect that,” he said. 

“For now, there doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious about the US embassy’s explanation. There will be fact-findings that are being conducted but for now, that doesn’t seem to be any issue,” Carandang said. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines through spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. earlier said the US drone found off Masbate was used in a war exercise held outside the country.