US drone unarmed – AFP

MANILA, Philippines - A US Navy drone recovered off the coast of Patnanungan Islet in Quezon is unarmed and has no spying capability, the military said yesterday.

Col. Restittuto Padilla said the US Navy designed the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for target precision exercises.

“The drone with serial number BQ55079 is Northrop BQM-74E Chukar that is used to simulate enemy missiles and aircraft during naval exercises. We would like to assure the public that this type of drone is not a surveillance equipment contrary to claims by some quarters,” Padilla said.

A military inspection also showed that the UAV bore several bullet holes, an indication it had been hit during target exercises. It did not explode because it was not laden with any explosive nor was it designed for spying.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office, said the drone is the same as the one recovered in Masbate in January 2013.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, said the government should not turn over the UAV until it has been examined by Filipino experts .

Biazon said it should be determined if the drone was used for target practice or to conduct surveillance.

 It should be checked if the drone is equipped with audio or visual surveillance gadgets, he added.

“If it is a target drone, then it does not offer a threat to security or sovereignty of the Philippines,” Biazon said.

Biazon said the government could make formal representations with Washington if the drone is found to contain surveillance components.

“Was it purposely deployed to the Philippines? If so, was it done with the consent of the security agencies of the Philippines and for what purpose?” he said.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry  Ridon on Tuesday expressed concern over what he described as Washington’s covert military surveillance activities in the country, insisting that such activities undermine Philippine sovereignty.

”This is not the first time that a US spy plane has been spotted here.  The Philippines in not part of US territory. This is too much,” Ridon said. – With Paolo Romero