The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued the notice to airmen (notam) from January 15 to 19 during the visit of Pope Francis a “no fly zone” to include drones.
The agency said users of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) would face up to P500,000 fine for every violation.
CAAP Deputy Director for Operations (ret.) Gen. Rodante Joya called on the public to report UAS/drones to Operation Rescue and Coordinating Center Hotlines: 02-8799110 or 0917 8607245.
Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Manila from Sri Lanka, the first leg of his Asian trip on Jan. 15 where flight operations at Naia are suspended between 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 a.m. for his official itinerary.
The restriction will apply during the motorcade to his official residence at the apostolic nunciature where a no fly zone is imposed within 3 nautical miles radius from surface up to 18,000 feet from 5 p.m. Jan. 15 to 9 a.m. on Jan.16.
No fly zone covers commercial flights, cargo flights, general aviation flights, flight training, radio controlled aircraft operations and unmanned aircraft system or drones.
On Jan. 16, Pope Francis will be received by President Benigno Aquino lll at Malacañan Palace where a no fly zone from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. will apply.
From 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. a no fly zone takes effect at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros for a mass with Bishop, priests, and religious women and men of the Catholic Church.
From 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. no fly zone will apply at SM MOA where Pope Francis will have an encounter with families at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The restriction then continue from 5:00 p.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Jan. 17 at the Apostolic Nunciature.
On Jan. 17, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. flight operations at Naia are suspended with no fly zone from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Tacloban Airport where the Pope will offer mass and will have lunch with the poor and survivors of natural calamities at the residence of the Archbishop of Palo followed by other activites.
At 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. flights operation at Naia are suspended where the Pope returns from Tacloban.
From 5 p.m. to 12 p.m. no fly zone is in effect at the Popes official residence at Papal Nunciature.
At the University of Santo Tomas on Espana in Sampaloc, no-fly zone will be effected Jan. 18 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park for the Concluding Mass.
Then 5 p.m. to midnight no fly zone is resumed at the Apostolic Nunciature.
The restriction extends to Jan. 19 until his departure for Rome.
Photo: Advocates press for the release of political prisoners in a media briefing on January 11, 2015 for the papal visit while Manila policemen under Supt. Rolanda Nana are briefed on crowd control at the UN Avenue headquarters. Inset shows a camera drone owned by a network at the Black Nazarene procession on Friday. DANNY PATA, MANNY PALMERO
Source: Manila Standard Today