By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz, Reporter

PDEA.GOV.PH

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday tested 20 drones for its anti-drug operations.
“This will enhance our operational capability in PDEA,” Director General Aaron N. Aquino said in a media briefing.
He said the drones are already in use nationwide but noted that further training was needed for these equipment.
The drones would help provide real-time intelligence and can be used in operations where agents cannot enter or reach their targets, Mr. Aquino said.
The drones can automatically follow the controller and subject without a tracker or bracelet, avoid obstacles with dual satellite camera, connect with up to 20 satellites, and capture aerial vision of a subject. They are also useful for geographic mapping.
The drones, priced at P100,000 per unit, were procured from Dubai for a total of P2 million, according to Mr. Aquino.
Two PDEA officers per region were trained by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in basic drone pilot handling and operation.
“The CAAP will then issue License to Operate the remote-controlled aircraft/drone, making PDEA the first national government agency to produce CAAP-certified drone controllers,” PDEA said.
“Having a license for flying a drone is very important. You can use your license anywhere and pag may license ka, tama ‘yung pag-o-operate mo ng drone eh (if you have a license, it means you can operate a drone properly),” Mr. Aquino noted.
He said another 20 are due next month and will be distributed in the national and regional headquarters.
“By that time, we will have an additional training with CAAP for more enhancement of capability,” Mr. Aquino said.
PDEA officers also familiarized themselves with 100 new body cameras, 86 units of digital forensic equipment and 166 handheld radios.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR