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PCG boosts maritime security with UAV modernization program

Philippine News Agency

By Wilnard Bacelonia
August 21, 2025, 4:38 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is expanding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to bolster maritime surveillance, coastal monitoring, and emergency response as part of its modernization program.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Thursday, PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the UAVs were recently tested in a flying exercise in La Union to assess their capabilities in aerial surveillance and rescue support.

The drones are already in use for operations, including search-and-rescue, and are expected to play a greater role in enhancing maritime domain awareness.

"Ang UAV po natin ay may kakayahan po na lumipad hanggang 40 to 60 minutes... ang kakayahan po nito is iyong GPS navigation and live video feed transmission po. Maganda rin po itong automatic flight path programming at saka object tracking (Our UAVs can fly for 40 to 60 minutes... equipped with GPS navigation and live video feed transmission. They also have automatic flight path programming and object tracking)," Cayabyab said.

She said the Coast Guard follows its "10/30 doctrine," requiring small vessels to deploy within 10 minutes and larger ships or aircraft within 30 minutes of receiving UAV reports.

"So, ang kagandahan rin po nitong UAV po natin, later on 'no, we can use this data para magamit po na ebidensiya sa pagsasampa po ng mga kaso sa mga tao na lumalabag po sa ating batas (The advantage of these UAVs is that their data can later be used as evidence in filing cases against violators of maritime laws)," Cayabyab said.

The UAV program is operated under the Coast Guard Aviation Command, which also maintains the drones.

Personnel undergo training in basic drone operations, flight planning, aerial mapping, sensor handling, troubleshooting, and advanced courses in data analysis and mission planning.

"Target po talaga natin na bigyan po ng pangunahing UAV units iyong ating mga command areas... para pantay-pantay ang surveillance capability at maabot po natin iyong mga malalayong lugar (Our target is to equip all command areas with UAV units... to ensure equal surveillance capability and reach remote areas)," Cayabyab said.

She added that the initiative is supported by allied countries and will ensure more effective coastal patrols and emergency response.

Cayabyab assured the public that PCG continues to work closely with other government agencies, emphasizing that its singular mission is to deliver genuine service to the Filipino people.

On the other hand, the PCG is also preparing 1,300 of its personnel to serve as election board members in the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections.

The deployment, according to Cayabyab, is part of the agency's broader support for national initiatives while maintaining its primary maritime security duties. (PNA)