MANILA, Philippines — The orange United States Navy drone recovered in Quezon province last Sunday was only used for training, not spying, the US Embassy in Manila clarified on Tuesday.
"The unarmed aerial target that was found off the coast of Patnanungan Islet on January 4, is an expended BQM-74E Aerial Target that was launched during naval exercise Valiant Shield 2014," the embassy said in a statement.
The exercise occurred September last year in waters off Guam, it added.
"The aerial target does not carry weapons and is not used for surveillance," the embassy explained.
Reports that an aerial target drone was seen near a police station in Patnanungan, Quezon, prompted left-leaning groups to criticize the US for supposed survey of the Philippines.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said that it was not the first time a "US spy plane" was spotted inside Philippine territory.
"In the guise of protecting the Philippine claim over the disputed shoals and reefs, the US military may in fact be surveying the area to assess the value of its oil and mineral reserves which their country surely has interest in," Ridon said.
The US Embassy, however, insisted that the drone was used by surface ships and aircraft during the military exercise to train sailors in a "realistic environment."
"During the exercise, all aerial operations were conducted in international airspace or with appropriate coordination and approval in Guam airspace," it said.