The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be receiving more drones that are expected to reinforce its surveillance and operational capability, a top police official said after signing a memorandum of agreement with a private company.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said the almost P10 million drone donation also comes with drone jammers as committed by the Okada Foundation, Inc. through Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc president James G. Lorenzana.
He said a separate P9.98 million donation will also be allocated for the donation of the Radio Communication Equipment.
“By providing funds for essential equipment such as radio communication devices, drones, and jammers, we are prepared to confront the evolving challenges of modern policing,” said Acorda.
In 2019, then PNP chief Archie Gamboa has initiated the procurement of 51 drones for the national police as he emphasized its importance in getting advance information on the terrain and other necessary information before police forces are deployed in some areas to conduct police operations to prevent ambush.
"Basically, drones are used for tactical purposes. In the case of Metro Manila, for securing big events," said Gamboa in an interview in 2019.
It was Gamboa who also initiated the training and creation of a pool of drone pilots, especially personnel from the Special Action Force (SAF) and the Maritime Group.