Drones prohibited over Batasang Pambansa on SONA Day

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has prohibited the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) such as drones at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday, a report from DZBB said.

NTC released a memorandum order barring remote-controlled aerial devices within two kilometers of the venue of President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a phone interview with DZBB on Saturday, NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgar Cabarios said the agency released the memo as a security measure.

"Marami pong pwedeng ilagay po diyan sa vehicle na yan at [magiging] in danger po ang ating mga kakabayan lalo na ang ating mahal na Pangulo," he said.

He added that it will prevent possible criminals or terrorists from endangering Duterte, and the other attendees of the SONA.

"For security reason, dapat alam po ng ating enforcement agency kung sino ang mga yan at kung ano yung dala dala ng UAV para masiguro na hindi gagawin ng may hindi magandang layunin ang pagpapalipad ng UAV," he said.

Only accredited equipment will be allowed inside the complex.

Those who wish to be accredited will have to submit an application to the Presidential Security Group.

Cabarios said that the NTC, which supervises telecommunications services in the country, can monitor the drones due to their radio frequency.

"Kung napalipad yan, mamomonitor po yan, malalaman din natin kung nasaan sila," he warned. — Jessica Bartolome/VVP, GMA News