Shielding possible drone targets eyed
SENATOR Raffy Tulfo has expressed deep concern regarding the vulnerability of the Philippines’ airports and military installations to potential drone attacks.
During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Services on Tuesday, Tulfo inquired about the existing countermeasures against drone threats.
He emphasized the increasing use of drones in global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and the possibility of their utilization by terrorists targeting specific locations within the country.
Tulfo questioned the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on the implementation of anti-drone measures at airports and military sites.
In response, Capt. Ian Michael Del Castillo, head of CAAP’s Aerial Works Certification and Inspection Division (AWOCID) Flight Operations Department, acknowledged the absence of anti-drone systems in the country’s airports, citing the prohibitive costs of current technologies.
He noted that some subscription-based anti-drone systems could cost up to $1 million per month. Del Castillo assured that CAAP is exploring more affordable alternatives as technology advances and prices decrease.
He also highlighted existing regulations prohibiting drone operations within a 10-kilometer radius of airports and above 120 meters in altitude.
Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, underscored the importance of addressing this issue promptly, labeling it as a matter of national security.
The senator urged CAAP to consider innovative solutions, including the training of birds to intercept unauthorized drones, a method successfully employed in other countries.
Tulfo directed CAAP to assess the feasibility of such measures to enhance the country’s defense against potential drone-related threats.
This concern aligns with Tulfo’s previous legislative efforts to regulate drone usage in the Philippines.
Tulfo earlier filed Senate Bill 1777, known as the Drone Regularization Act, aiming to establish guidelines for the ownership and operation of drones by private individuals. The bill seeks to mitigate risks associated with unregulated drone activities, emphasizing the need for registration, operator training, and adherence to safety protocols.
