Manila, March 15 -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Sunday said one of its drone operators finished among the top placers in the final round of the Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT AS 26) in Sydney, Australia on March 14.

Reservist Pfc. Rex Froilan Gil (codename: RezFVP) finished 11th overall out of 76 drone operators who took part in the MIDRT AS 206, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a statement.

Gil's victory, he said, highlights the growing competence of the PA's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators.

"Competing in high-speed first-person view (FPV) drone events that tested piloting agility, precision targeting and tactical maneuvering, the feat highlighted the organization's commitment to keeping pac...