Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4555
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill contemplates on enabling law enforcement agencies to go after lawless users of drones
or remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). By taking advantage of the facility and stealth of
drones, terrorists would be able to carry out their nefarious schemes of sowing fear and terror
among the people. Drones in the country, which now number by the thousands, are potential
terrorist weapons of mass destruction.

‘As underscored by Jarius Bondoc in his January 11, 2017 Philippine Star ‘Gotcha’ article
entitled, “Drones, driverless cars potential terror weapons,” a toy version costing about P35,000
can carry up to 20 pounds (9.1 kilos) of load. What if a terrorist obtains five or ten such drones,
fits them with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), then scrambles them to ram a commercial
jumbo jet just taking off or landing?

Law enforcement agencies should be equipped with the tool necessary to track down such
terrorists by enabling them to trace owners/operators of drones. By recording the identity of all
owners of drones and requiring them to register their drones with the Civil Aviation Authority of
the Philippines, law enforcement agencies are aided in the investigation of an illegal activity
engendered by such potential weapon of destruction.

Law enforcement agencies shall be able to hunt down crime perpetrators who take refuge in
anonymity.

The swift passage of this bill is thus earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4555

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE RECORDING OF THE IDENTITY OF ALL DRONE OWNERS/OPERATORS.
AND THE REGISTRATION OF THEIR DRONES OR REMOTELY-PILOTED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS (RPAS) WITH THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Drone Registration Act.”

SEC. 2. Drone dealers are hereby required to ensure that the identity of buyers of their
drones or Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) is properly recorded and their addresses
verified through the presentation of valid identification cards. If the sale of said drones is done
through agents, the dealers shall ensure that said agents submit to them the verified names and
addresses of the buyers within fifteen (15) days from date of sale.

SEC. 3. Drone dealers shall submit to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,
within thirty (30) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, a verified list of their current
authorized agents nationwide. Thereafter, drone dealer

shall submit to the CAAP on a quarterly basis an updated list of the same.
SEC. 4. Drone owners shalll thenceforth register their drones with the CAAP.
SEC. 5. Upon the issuance of a proper court order or a valid request from government
law enforcement agency showing proof that a particular drone was used in the commission of a

crime or for an illegal purpose, the CAAP shall be mandated to reveal the identity and personal
circumstances of the owner of such drone.

SEC. 6. The following penalties shall be imposed on any drone eaneropera found
guilty of violating any provision of this Act:

For the first offense: A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00);
For the second offense: A fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00);

For the third offense: A fine of Three Hur ired Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) and
imprisonment ranging from one month to six months


SEC. 7. Within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, the Civil Aviation Authority of
the Philippines shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 8. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed accordingly.

SEC 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon publication in the Official Gazette
and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,