World

US hands over six surveillance drones to Philippines

The US on March 13 handed over six surveillance drones to the Philippines in a bid to enhance the Southeast Asian country’s ability to cope with threats from jihadist militants and respond to natural disasters.
US hands over six surveillance drones to Philippines ảnh 1The US on March 13 hand​s over six surveillance drones to the Philippines (Photo: Reuters)

Hanoi (VNA) – The US on March 13 handed over six surveillancedrones to the Philippines in a bid to enhance the Southeast Asian country’sability to cope with threats from jihadist militants and respond to naturaldisasters.

The Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drones are equipped with two cameras and canfly for 24 hours on a single run. They were financed through a 13.7 million USDgrant from the US's foreign military assistance programme.

Last year, the US also transferred two single-engine surveillance planesto the Philippines. The country plans to deploy the drones for surveillance againstmilitants and pirates, and for surveying the aftermath of natural disasterslike typhoons, mudslides and earthquakes.

The US is one of the most important military partners of thePhilippines. The two nations signed a decades-old treaty alliance deal andnumerous pacts that enable rotational deployment of US troops and annual jointexercises.

However, bilateral relations are facing a range of difficulties due todifferences on many issues between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his UScounterpart Donald Trump./.
VNA
#The US #six surveillance drones #the Philippines #jihadist militants #natural disasters #two single-engine surveillance planes #decades-old treaty alliance deal #rotational deployment of US troops #annual joint exercises #Vietnam News Agency #Vietnamplus Philippines United States
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

US, Philippines hold joint naval patrol

US, Philippines hold joint naval patrol

The navy forces of the US and the Philippines has conducted a joint patrol in the Sulu Sea off the southern coast of the Philippines at the request of the latter’s government.

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: thevibes.com)

Malaysia leads Southeast Asia in global investment appeal

The latest 2026 Global Opportunity Index (GOI) report by the Milken Institute ranked Malaysia 23rd globally, the highest among developing Southeast Asian economies, underpinned by strong institutional quality and solid economic fundamentals.

YouTube logo on a cellphone (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia warns Google over non-compliance with child protection rules

According to the results of an inspection conducted on April 7, YouTube has not fully fulfilled its obligations under Indonesian Government Regulation No. 17/2025 (PP Tunas), which took effect on March 28 and requires digital platforms to implement strict governance measures to protect underage users. The platform has also shown no indication of complying with the rules in the near future.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit choke-point. (Photo: Reuters)

Malaysia reliant on Hormuz Strait for oil supply

Data from the Malaysian Finance Ministry shows that domestic oil consumption stands at about 700,000 barrels per day, nearly double Malaysia’s crude oil production of around 350,000 barrels daily.

President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Mohamad Norza Zakaria speaks to media (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia to tighten doping controls at 2027 SEA Games

The adoption of the World Anti-Doping Code aims to ensure that the 2027 SEA Games fully comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, thereby enhancing the transparency and international standing of the Games.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN, GRULAC strengthen multilateral cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang emphasised the value of the dialogue mechanism in fostering coordination among developing countries, while highlighting the need to enhance transparency and improve the efficiency of resource allocation and utilisation across United Nations activities.

Senior officials from 11 ASEAN member states at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN senior officials meet ahead of 48th summit

At the meeting, participants reviewed the implementation of agreed commitments and cooperation priorities, preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit scheduled for this May, and discussed measures to strengthen unity and cooperation amid an increasingly complex and challenging global environment.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, on behalf of Party and State leaders and deputies of the 16th NA of Vietnam, presents flowers to congratulate Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on April 7. (Photo: VNA)

Regional media highlight significant step in Vietnam’s leadership structure

Under General Secretary and President Lam’s leadership, Vietnam is expected to maintain a balanced foreign policy, strengthen its regional standing and accelerate economic development, thereby improving living standards and creating new opportunities for international investors, according to the India-based platform Devdiscourse.