US EMBASSY. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The United States Embassy in Manila clarified Tuesday that the unmanned aerial vehicle or drone owned by the US Navy and found in Quezon province on Sunday afternoon was unarmed and was not used for surveillance.
“The unarmed aerial target that was found off the coast of Patnanungan Islet on January 4, is an expended BQM-74E Aerial Target that was launched during naval exercise Valiant Shield 2014 which took place September 15-23 in the waters off Guam. The aerial target does not carry weapons and is not used for surveillance,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
It said the drone was used by surface ships and aircraft during exercises to help train sailors in a realistic environment that provides the best possible training.
“During the exercise, all aerial operations were conducted in international airspace or with appropriate coordination and approval in Guam airspace,” it said.
On Sunday, January 4, authorities retrieved a drone bearing the stars and stripes symbol of the US Navy ashore the Patnanungan Island.
In January 2013, another unarmed US Navy drone was also found in the waters off Masbate.
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