MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti) – A group of US Filipino businessmen and philanthropists have sent a letter to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III urging him to ask US leader Barack Obama for drone technology to defend the Philippines from China, Rappler.com reported.
"Please request and persuade President Barrack Obama to provide the Philippines with US drone technology,” said the letter by the group, known as the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG).
“Realistically, the Philippines needs effective weaponry to deter China's aggression. Because of limited economic resources compared to China – the Philippines can never match China's supply of conventional armaments. As such, the Philippines needs more effective non-conventional weapons,” the letter said, according to Rappler.com.
The group argued that US drones could potentially be used to gather valuable intelligence, as well as carry missiles.
"If the Philippines had access to this technology, we could effectively utilize it to keep China at bay without endangering the lives of our soldiers. The cost will be less than that spent for jet planes, ships or helicopters," the USP4GG letter said.
The organization also expressed support for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation agreement that proposes an increase in the US military presence in the Philippines, saying that the country “is incapable of protecting itself against a military giant."
In 2012, USP4GG demanded the US boycott Chinese products in response to the country’s dispute with the Philippines over the South China Sea territories.
US President Barack Obama is to meet with his Filipino counterpart during an upcoming visit to the country at the end of the month, part of an Asian tour. Among other matters, the two leaders are expected to discuss security issues.
The US started its drone program during the George W. Bush administration in 2004. Under President Barack Obama the frequency of attacks has increased significantly. According to the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, up to 3,613 people, including at least 416 civilians, have been killed in drone strikes since the launch of the first operation.
