(UPDATE) Recovered US drone not surveillance equipment: military

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine military confirmed today that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was recovered by local fishermen off Polilio island in Quezon was owned by the US counterpart.

However, a spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was immediate in saying that the US Navy aerial target drone recovered last Sunday was not a surveillance equipment.

Harold Cabunoc, military's public affairs office chief, said that the AFP sought explanation from the US regarding the drone.

He said the drone  with serial number BQ55079 is a Northrop BQM- 74E Chukar that is used to simulate enemy missiles and aircraft during naval exercises.

"This was used during US Navy exercises in the Pacific around the area of Guam and washed to our shores by the ocean's currents and tides," Cabunoc said.

Currently, he said there are no bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States that employ this type of training equipment.