PCG eyes purchase of large drones to boost PH maritime border patrols

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is eyeing the purchase of large drones to enhance its ability to patrol the country's maritime borders, its spokesperson said Saturday.

In a news forum, Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said if given the opportunity to ask Congress to provide them with additional funds, the Coast Guard would use it for the purchase of drones.

“Nakikita naman po ng mga mambabatas natin iyong ating tungkulin na ginagampanan ay napakalaki at kailangan talaga natin na madagdagan pa ng mga gamit para nang sa ganoon, iyong maritime domain awareness natin ay ma-sustain natin,” Balilo said.

Balilo added they also included in their request a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) to assist in oil spill response.

“Pati ROV, nga sinasama na namin sa budget, para sa mga oil spill response. Hindi na tayo tatakbo sa mga ibang bansa para alamin lang iyong nangyayari doon sa ilalim ng dagat pagka- may oil spill,” the PCG spokesperson said.

The drone aquisition proposal came following the recently-concluded trilateral exercise with the Japanese and US Coast Guards in Mariveles, Bataan.

Balilo said they observed the huge drones used by the US Coast Guard in patrolling a specific area or during anti-smuggling operations.

“Ang pinakabago pong technology na meron sila ay iyong mga drones. Malalaki iyong mga drones na kayang mag-patrol. Instead of the vessel and chopper na mauuna, ang pinauuna po nila ay drone pagka-nag-ooperate sila against smuggling and drugs,” he said.

“Kasi malaking bagay ito, malaking tulong ito, imagine-in mo pag nasa isang area kayo ng operations, mas mabilis makakaikot iyong drone,” Balilo added.

Balilo said that currently the PCG had drones, and personnel from the Coast Guard Aviation Force are currently undergoing training to operate them.

“Parang project proposal lang ito at pina-o-operate na doon sa aming mga tauhan sa Coast Guard Aviation Force,” he added.

Balilo said the PCG was looking to equip each of its districts with at least one drone that can cover a range of up to 50 nautical miles.

“Kung kami ang masusunod, lahat nung districts ng Philippine Coast Guard dapat magkaroon ng at least one drone. Kung labing-lima iyong Coast Guard district, at least may one drone sila... at their disposal na pwedeng gamitin. Fifty nautical miles, parang malayo na iyon from your base,” he said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News