The Philippine National Police (PNP) is exploring the use of drones in enhancing maritime patrol against smuggling and other law enforcement operations in forested and coastal communities.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. emphasized the importance of new technology in law enforcement operations, as proven by the confiscation of over P300 million worth of marijuana at the Cordillera Administrative Region last week.

Authorities credited the success to the deployment of its drone units which help overcome the region’s rugged terrain and facilitate surveillance in otherwise inaccessible areas.

“As we are moving toward the use of modern technology in our operations, the Philippine National Police is considering the use of drones in all our police operation,” said Nartatez.

“The use of drones, coupled with good intelligence gathering, can greatly help in patrolling our maritime borders and in conducting other law enforcement activities,” he added.

Nartatez said drones are valuable not only in eradicating marijuana plantations in the Cordillera region but also in operations against smuggled cigarettes, some of which are transported through the nation’s territorial waters.

Aside from intercepting contraband, he said drones will assist police personnel in maintaining vigilant monitoring of vast coastal waters which are taken advantage of by smugglers and other criminal elements.

Nartatez said the move aims to protect the local economy and ensure that national security is maintained against cross-border criminal elements.

He emphasized that the acquisition of additional drone units is a cornerstone of the PNP’s ongoing modernization program as the police leadership intends to standardize this capability across the entire organization.

“Our goal is to ensure that every regional and provincial office has this capability to strengthen operations nationwide,” Nartatez said.