A House leader is calling for an investigation on the use of drones after one such device allegedly tried to "invade" her family’s home.
San Jose Del Monte lone district Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes filed House Resolution (HR) No.2473, which urges the House Committee on Transportation to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to determine the current status of drone operations in the country amid reports of misuse and abuse that violate people’s rights to privacy, safety, and security.
In a statement over the weekend, Robes, a vice chairperson of the transportation panel, said her family became a victim of illegal drone operations when a drone was flown over her parents’ house in Bustos, Bulacan.
The flying surveillance device--which some equate to a robot--nearly entered the house's kitchen, she said.
“Such intrusion clearly violated CAAP rules on drone operation because this not only posed risks to our safety but also to our privacy and security,” Robes said. CAAP stands for Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
“Under CAAP rules, licenses are needed if the drone is operated commercially or weighs more than seven kilograms or if the drone will be flown in restricted conditions such as going inside restricted air space, conducting night flights, flying over populated areas, and going above maximum altitude. The rules specifically state that drones are not allowed to go into private places and populated zones, which include subdivisions and residential areas,” she pointed out.
The Bulacan lawmaker added that an inquiry on drone operations is needed and timely considering the many reports of robbery in Bustos and elsewhere that are allegedly being perpetuated with the help of drones.
Robes said also raised the possibility that such drones may be used for political partisanship especially in the ongoing election season.
“There is a need to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, in order to determine the prevalence of drone operations in the country, how their operations are monitored and supervised and revisit existing regulations to guard against undue violations to rights to privacy, safety, and security,” she said.