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By APD Writer Melo M. Acuna
**MANILA, Sept. 11 (APD) – **The United States of America sent a “Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS) specifically to Mindanao for additional surveillance to further support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its counterterrorism efforts.
In a statement, the United States Embassy on Manila said the Gray Eagle has a longer flight duration compared with the current surveillance platforms in Asia.
According to the statement, the unmanned aircraft would cover a larger area for reconnaissance and surveillance.
The American government over the past three years has provided the Philippines with various equipment worth over P 15 billion “to establish better command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The most recent deliveries include a Raven tactical UAS and two Cessna-208B surveillance aircraft and various munitions and weapons to support urgent defense and counterterrorism needs.
“The strong, long-standing military relationship with the Philippines enables the U. S. to respond quickly to the AFP’s needs and to support the AFP’s modernization goals,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines’ spokesman Brig. General Restituto Padilla said the military establishment appreciates the deployment of more assets of this type that help increase the technical assistance provided the Philippines.
“This kind of UAS will hopefully improve further the level of battlefield situational awareness now available to our troops,” General Padilla said in a statement.
He added the deployment was approved by the Department of National Defense – Armed Forces of the Philippines,
with the end in view of facilitating operations in the battle areas against terrorists within the Western Mindanao area of operations.
Incidentally, the armed conflict in Marawi City has entered its 112th day has claimed the lives of 655 members of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group and 145 elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and some 45 non-combatants.
The military has said they are preparing for the final push to rid the city of armed lawless elements.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
