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Mapalit ra sa Shopee: The future of defense through low-cost drone technology

by Jea Maraon Murillo | Apr 15 2025

In an era where warfare extends beyond the use of brute force to intelligence, speed, and technology, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (处女视频-IIT) is conducting a series of studies focusing on defense modernization.

Leading this innovation is Professor Sherwin A. Guirnaldo from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, and also the focal person of the Robotics Instrumentation and Control Engineering Laboratory (RICE). The core of the initiative is to develop a cost-efficient, high-impact drone technology that could redefine Philippine drone warfare.

And the best part? The materials used to build it are so common that, as Professor Guirnaldo puts it, “mapalit ra sa Shopee” (you can buy it online).

Begins with an idea

All great inventions begin with an idea. For the EAVRAM program, the idea took shape upon brainstorming sessions in response to the Ukraine-Russia ongoing war, recognizing how drone technology has enabled a smaller, less equipped force to resist against a formidable military.

In simple terms, asymmetrical warfare.

What is asymmetrical warfare? 

Have you ever thought of being in a one-on-one boxing session with the only eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, or in a basketball game going against the four-time NBA champion, Lebron James? Can you picture the overwhelming challenge? Do you truly believe you stand a chance? Maybe, but truthfully, no.

Asymmetrical warfare is when opposing forces are vastly different in power—when one side has a clear technological and resource advantage, and the other side has to rely on unconventional methods to stand a chance. Think of guerrilla tactics, insurgencies, and even small, intelligent weaponry–this is the position of the Philippines in this kind of warfare, one that this country can only afford to. 

In a Reuters article titled “Philippines seeks increase in defence spending in 2025”, it stated that in 2025, the Philippines allocated approximately PHP 256.1 billion (around $4.38 billion) to defense spending, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. And let’s be honest—buying million-dollar military drones from other countries, with this budget, isn’t exactly an option.

In comparison to regional powers, like China, whom as according to Jesse Johnson of in the article titled “China says it will boost defense spending by 7.2% this year” China allocated 1.78 trillion yuan ($246 billion) for 2025 defense budget, making 2025 the 10th year China has been having a single digit hike up of its defense expenditures. Japan presents similar case in defense budget, wherein as according to Mari Yamaguchi in the article titled “Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget as it pushes strike-back capability to deter regional threat” published in , the nation has allocated 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) defense budget in the year 2025–which is way greater in comparison to of the Philippines despite its military, up to recently being strongly focused to defensive tactics rather than offensive–like most countries do–due to its pacifist 1947 constitution. Specifically in Article IX, stating Japan renounces war as according to . 

Take a look around

Upon considering the financial capabilities of the Philippines, Professor Gurinaldo and the team thought of the innovative idea to engineer a low-cost drone using civilian off-the-shelf components. 

“The idea is to use inexpensive, readily available materials to develop a drone that can still perform effectively on the battlefield,” Professor Guirnaldo explained. “If we can create a locally manufactured drone that costs a fraction of what the U.S. military spends, we can level the playing field,” he added.

Why spend billions on foreign drones when we could build our own? Why not use everyday materials—stuff you could literally order online—to create a drone that could still get the job done?

Thus, the EAVRAM (Expendable Aerial Vehicle for Reconnaissance and Assault Missions) was born.

Starting without external funding, the team launched their project under the title Engineering a Cost-Efficient Semi-disposable Tactical Drone Utilizing Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Components. Supported by 处女视频-IIT, the project officially kicked off in 2023.

While money was scarce, passion wasn’t. Engineering graduate and undergraduate students took on the challenge, each focusing on a different aspect of the drone’s development.

Collaboration with the young

Collaborations with the Philippine Navy and Army have been a great source for valuable insights and requirements for the design of EAVRAM. However, Professor Guirnaldo acknowledges the dedication of his students, whom he considers partners as they [graduate and undergraduate students] conducted studies that included rigorous testing of the prototype, in this groundbreaking work. 

“We have fourth-year Bachelor of Science and Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students, Michael Caleb Obalan, who is conducting an aerodynamic investigation of the delta-wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing. While Alan Pierre-Miguel Gultia’s focus is on the fixed-wing model. The drones also underwent impact simulations of the delta-wing and the fixed-wing, being studied by Ben James Cuajotor and Paula Alexandra Padro, respectively.” 

Graduate students, currently taking up a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, are also involved in the project. Aerodynamics and stability is the study of Donato Juayang Jr., while Wyrlo Rica Blanca is conducting actual testing of EAVRAM crash dynamics.

To make their drones more resilient, the team is also working on AI-based control systems to reduce human intervention, which is being studied by Michael Ray Maligro. This will counteract electronic warfare techniques such as signal jamming, which could otherwise render traditional remote-controlled drones ineffective.

Recognizing the contributions of the students, Professor Guirnaldo said that “If this project succeeds, it won’t just be my success—it will be theirs too. These students will become the pioneers of an industry that could put the Philippines on the map in drone technology”.

Further funding means further progress

The extensive studies on the design of the prototype, despite having promising results, have yet to determine its actual performance when on the battlefield. Hence, when President Bongbong Marcos reinforced the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act in 2023, which prioritizes local defense technology production with a projected PHP 1 billion investment in research and development for defense technologies, 处女视频-IIT’s drone project is well-positioned in having the potential to be invested in.

Unlike traditional military-grade drones that can cost millions of PHP, the project drone models are projected to be significantly more affordable, commercially priced at around PHP 300,000 per unit, with a production cost of a much lesser amount [exact amount is hidden due to strategic protection]. Thus, as per Professor Guirnaldo's statement, “it [conducting further testing] will cost a lot.”

And lo behold, look up as the team continues to soar. In March 2025, the heavily lobbied proposal, backed by the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Army, was granted funding by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), along with twelve other studies, as part of the NEDA’s 2024  innovation program.

Further funding indeed means further progress.

Beyond just mere validation of being “cheaper and effective,” extensive testing is crucial for ensuring operational reliability, battlefield adaptability, and cost-effectiveness. This funded next phase will determine the potential vulnerabilities, improve the drone's AI functionality, and ensure that it can survive actual combat conditions. Additionally, it will validate its endurance, efficiency, and safety measures—critical factors in making the project a viable and competitive defense asset.  

The initiative alone to proceed with rigorous testing defines the team’s principle to prove beyond theory into a fully battle-ready, self-reliant defense technology, fulfilling the vision of the SRDP Act of reinforcing the Philippines’ commitment to innovation in national security.

Warfare and humanitarian commercialization 

The potential market for these drones is staggering. In conflict zones like Ukraine, over a million drones are used annually. If the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) adopts these drones, they could procure these warfare technologies in thousands, ensuring an affordable yet effective solution for national defense and disaster response efforts.

Yes, you read it right. Beyond warfare, the project’s drone model is also set for humanitarian aid. Due to its multifunctionality, wherein it is equipped with built-in cameras and tracking systems, the use of the prototype in search-and-rescue missions, natural disaster response, and reconnaissance operations would be of great help.

Drones that can survey areas struck by typhoons or earthquakes, looking for survivors. Drones that can provide real-time updates to emergency response teams. This is not just about war anymore—it’s also about saving lives.

But why prepare for war?

When asked this question, Professor Guirnaldo quotes Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, a famous Roman writer in the 4th Century, saying: 

“Therefore, let him who desires for peace prepares for war.”

Proactive war measures do not mean anticipating one. Preparing for war gives the people a sense of security. Preparedness also reflects efficiency. As our brave soldiers are not only heroes when there is war, but are also beacons of peace.  

And with EAVRAM, the Philippines is taking a bold step forward.

And who knows? Maybe one day, the world will look to the Philippines for drone technology. After all, if we can build powerful military drones from parts that “mapalit ra sa Shopee”—what else are we capable of?

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