Drone spotted over defeated governor’s house

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A caretaker reported to police on Friday the unusual sighting of a drone hovering over a house owned by defeated Misamis Oriental governor Peter Unabia in Barangay Canitoan.

According to the blotter recorded by the community police precinct 7 in Barangay Bulua, the drone was seen hovering multiple times between 6 and 7 a.m. last Wednesday. The caretaker, identified only as “Andy,” sought police assistance to identify the drone’s owner and understand the purpose of the aerial surveillance.

Flying drones in Cagayan de Oro is regulated by the city government and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Operators are required to secure permits to fly drones in certain areas.

Unabia, who ran for reelection under the administration Lakas Party, lost to former Misamis Oriental 1st District Representative Juliet Uy (NUP). Uy received 327,305 votes compared to Unabia’s 235,925.

During the campaign, Unabia drew sharp criticism from the Commission on Elections’ Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections. The group threatened to disqualify him after his controversial remarks about nurses and the Maranao community, whom he labeled “terrorists” and “troublemakers.”

The governor later apologized to parents and nurses in Misamis Oriental for his claim that only “beautiful women” should qualify as nurses. He also met with an interfaith group led by Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Jose Bantan and Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang to apologize for his discriminatory comments against the Maranaos.

As of now, Unabia’s camp has not issued any official statement regarding the drone sightings over his Cagayan de Oro property.