The Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PROCAR) on Tuesday said the SQUADRONE technologies it launched in October have been helping its personnel in ensuring public safety, as proven in their Undas 2025 operations.

SQUADRONE stands for Smart Quadrotor Unit for Advanced Deployment, Detection, Reconnaissance, Observation and Networked Enforcement.

“The technologies enhanced situational awareness and strengthened the overall security coverage across the region,” Brig. Gen. Erickson Dilag, PROCAR regional director, said in a media interview on Tuesday.

He said police personnel, especially in highly urbanized areas utilize the technology, including drones and body-worn cameras, which help the personnel in monitoring crowd movement, managing traffic flow and maintaining public safety in real time.

Dilag said the success of Oplan Undas 2025 in the Cordillera demonstrates the effectiveness of SQUADRONE, along with genuine inter-agency cooperation and strong public support.

The drones were used in major cemeteries in the region such as the Baguio Public Cemetery, big private cemeteries and the Buyagan Cemetery in La Trinidad, augmenting the police personnel who conducted roving activities to check for violations, contraband including alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and vape, and sharp items, and other peace and order-related activities.

Dilag said “reports from all Police Provincial Offices and the Baguio City Police Office confirmed that no untoward or significant incidents were recorded within their respective areas of responsibility, leading to a peaceful observance of the Undas and the long weekend.”

Squad drone program

Capt. Clotheldee Pacuyan of PROCOR’s Regional Public Information Office said the region established the SQUADRONE with seven teams having three members each, and equipped with 20 high-resolution drones, night vision cameras and underwater and aerial hybrid drones, for operations across multiple environments.

“This was established to strengthen the operational capability of the PNP (Philippine National Police) by enabling real-time aerial surveillance, faster response to emergencies, and improved situational awareness,” she said.

“It allows for safer and smarter decision-making in high-risk situations, efficient evidence collection and crime scene documentation, faster search and rescue in large or remote areas, real-time support during tactical operations and disaster response, reduced risk to officers by providing visual intelligence information before the deployment of personnel,” she added.

Pacuyan said the SQUADRONE can be utilized in crime scene investigation, search and rescue, surveillance and crowd monitoring at events, protests, or public gatherings, monitor movements, and maintain order with minimal on-ground presence.

It is also useful in traffic monitoring and accident investigation, disaster response, evaluating damage, assisting coordination and ensuring the safety of personnel before deployment of responders, and in environment and crime monitoring to detect illegal dumping, pollution, or unauthorized land use through aerial imaging.

The SQUADRONE also provides perimeter security especially in sensitive areas or restricted zones such as government facilities, crime scenes, or correctional facilities, tracking of suspects and for apprehensions following fleeing suspects during foot chases or vehicle pursuits using real-time video feeds to assist officers safely and effectively, for officer safety and for training and simulation to support training exercises and scenario simulations to improve officer preparedness and drone operation skills.

“These activities are vital for enhancing law enforcement operational efficiency, safety, and situational awareness,” Pacuyan said.

The launch of the PROCAR Drone SQUADRONE, according to Dilag, is a major step in enhancing their operational capability.

“These drones will support search and rescue, marijuana eradication, and other law enforcement operations, all while improving officer safety and situational awareness,” he said. (PNA)