Flying drones this Sinulog? Get a permit – police

CEBU CITY – People flying drones during the Sinulog Grand Parade this month have to secure permits, police said Wednesday, January 3.

DRONE (Pexels)

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) issued the reminder as authorities started mapping out security measures for the upcoming festival.

Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7 chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said permits for flying drones during the festival can be secured through the PRO-7.

“The PRO-7 will be the one to recommend to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as to those who will be allowed to fly drones. In other words, those who will use drones should be accredited by the security forces to avoid violations of the rules and regulations,” Pelare said.

The PRO-7 will assess what is the purpose in flying drones during the Sinulog before the application will be forwarded to the CAAP for approval.

“They just need to write a letter to PRO-7. What we are going to do is we will call the applicant for an interview so that we will know the scope of their drone activity and we will know who the operators are,” said Pelare.

Pelare said the PRO-7 will coordinate with legitimate and registered drone operators as part of the measures to regulate the use of drones during the activity.