Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro is advocating for the use of drone technology in post-disaster assessment operations following the tragic crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Super Huey helicopter in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. The aircraft was on a mission to assess damage caused by Typhoon Tino when it went down, killing several Air Force personnel.
Teodoro, who also serves as chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), emphasized the need for the government to adopt safer and more advanced technologies to evaluate disaster-affected areas.
He said the government could begin developing dedicated drone systems for rapid aerial surveys, which would allow faster data collection while minimizing risks to responders.
“I have already directed the Office of Civil Defense to study how unmanned aerial technology can be integrated into disaster response operations,” Teodoro said, noting that drones could be crucial for preliminary assessment and risk mapping.
While manned operations will remain necessary in some cases, Teodoro stressed that using drones can prevent similar tragedies and strengthen the country’s overall disaster preparedness and response capabilities.