The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to upgrade its law enforcement capabilities by procuring advanced drones equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to track down high-profile fugitives.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Thursday that he has received clearance to acquire the specialized hardware, which is designed to locate targets in challenging environments.
“I’ve been given the clearance to procure drones with LiDAR. LiDAR can penetrate through canopies of trees to see what’s beneath them,” Remulla said during a press briefing. He noted that the technology will be deployed within the next few months to bolster “intensive manhunt operations.”
The Secretary identified several key targets for the new aerial surveillance units, including former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and business tycoon Atong Ang.
Bantag, the suspected mastermind behind the 2022 killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, is believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Ang is wanted in connection with the disappearance of dozens of cockfighting aficionados (sabungeros) between 2021 and 2022.
In addition to these long-standing cases, Remulla indicated the drones would be used for upcoming operations related to a flood control scandal.
While specific names were not disclosed, the Secretary stated that indictments are expected shortly. Currently, seven individuals remain at large regarding a P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
The move marks a significant shift toward technology-driven policing as the DILG seeks to eliminate “safe havens” for fugitives in remote or densely forested areas.