Solon seeks ban on use of drones near jail facilities

Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan. (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — A bill that will ban the operation of drones near jail facilities, to prevent the smuggling of contraband items and avoid other security risks, has been filed before the House of Representatives.

In a statement on Tuesday, Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said he has filed House Bill (HB) No. 4797 or the proposed Drone-Free Jails Act, which seeks to disallow the use of any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), within a 100-meter radius of jail facilities.

The only exception to the proposal is for emergency cases, like when the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issues a permit to operate with the consent of the jail authority or for custodial purposes.

“While drones serve legitimate purposes in commerce and recreation and even in checking the progress of government infrastructure projects, they can also be misused and abused to commit crimes,” Yamsuan said.

“The passage of this bill will strengthen the security of jail facilities and will help keep our communities safe and peaceful,” said Yamsuan, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said in Filipino.

Yamsuan said drones are helpful for jail operations, such as in the case of the jailbreak at the Batangas Provincial Jail wherein all 10 inmates who escaped were rearrested with the help of the said technology.

READ: All 10 escaped Batangas inmates rearrested 

However, the lawmaker said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has also reported seeing drones near jails — which authorities fear to be used for transferring contrabands.

HB No. 4749 can help address such issues and institutionalize policies against the flying of drones near jails — instead of having local government units pass ordinances separately.

READ: BJMP, police support proposed ordinance regulating use of unmanned aerial vehicles, drones 

“UAVs like drones can both be  assets and liabilities depending on their use. Near or inside the vicinity of penal facilities, they can be used to conduct illegal surveillance and bring in contraband like drugs, mobile phones, or even guns. Its authorized use by jail authorities, on the other hand, can help monitor the movement of persons deprived of liberty [PDLs] and help recapture escapees,” Yamsuan said.

“Enacting House Bill 4797 will ensure that these prohibitions stay and (are) implemented nationwide,” he added.

If Yamsuan’s bill is enacted, individuals found guilty of violating the no-fly zone will pay a fine ranging from P50,000 to P200,000, and a possible one year imprisonment.

The drone will also be confiscated and turned over to CAAP for proper disposal. With reports from Jossa Rafoncel Par, INQUIRER.net intern /jpv