The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is now conducting an investigation into the crash of an Israel-made Unamanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Bukidnon.
In a statement, the PAF leadership said the probe is aimed at determining the circumstances that led to the crash of the Israel-made Hermes 900 UAV on Saturday morning, May 28.
Based on the initial report, the UAV took off at around 9:30 a.m. at the Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City for a functional check flight.
After the takeoff, the UAV was seen ascending 10,000 feet and after finding the flight procedure to be satisfactory, the pilots declared the termination of test and started to descend 5,000 feet 1.5 miles east of Lumbia Airport.
"At around 11:46 a.m, communications with the UAV was cut. All emergency procedures were performed and Field Service Representatives were called for troubleshooting," the statement read.
"The Hermes 900 crash landed in a vegetated area where it was confirmed to have lost contact. No civilian casualties and damage to properties were reported," it added.
The report stated that UAV crashed near a mountain resort in Baungon town of Bukidnon.
The Hermes 900 is among the recent procurement of the PAF for reconnaissance and surveillance operations.