Recovered U.S. Drone In Philippines Not Surveillance Equipment – Military

The Philippine military confirmed on Tuesday that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was recovered by local fishermen off Polilio island in northern province of Quezon was owned by the U.S. counterpart.


However, a spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP) was immediate in saying that the U.S. Navy aerial target drone recovered on Sunday was not a surveillance equipment.

Harold Cabunoc, Miilitary’s Public Affairs office chief, said that the AFP sought explanation from the U.S. regarding the drone.

He said the drone with serial number BQ55079 is a Northrop BQM- 74E Chukar that was used to simulate enemy missiles and aircraft during naval exercises.

“This was used during U.S. Navy exercises in the Pacific around the area of Guam and washed to our shores by the ocean’s currents and tides,’’ Cabunoc said.

Currently, he said that there were no bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the U.S. that employed this type of training equipment. (Xinhua/NAN)

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