Philippines Scientists Say Latest UFO Sightings Just Spotlights
Clark Field, Philippines -- Government scientists Tuesday debunked the recent UFO sightings in nearby Mabalacat town and Angeles city saying the mysterious lights seen by local residents last Friday evening came from a land-based light source.[Original headline: Pagasa debunks UFO sightings]
Elmor Escosia, head of the Philippine Atmospheric and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) UFO team, said interviews gathered by his team indicated that the light came from a halogen spotlight usually used by business or commercial establishments to attract people.
Escosia, along with four other team members, went to Clark Field and San Fernando town to investigate reports of mysterious dancing lights seen by local residents at night.
He cited the team's discovery in Marilao, Bulacan last February where strange lights hovering at night were sighted in Novaliches, Quezon city and other parts of Bulacan.
Escosia said the mysterious lights emanated from a P250,000 halogen spotlight capable of beaming light at a 30-kilometer radius.
Last Friday, residents from Angeles City and Mabalacat were baffled when a strange light hovered above the skies from six to 11 p.m.
Incidentally, a weekend party-concert was being held along the Balibago entertainment district during the time of the sightings.
A halogen spotlight similar to Escosia's discovery in Bulacan was also used during the concert held in front of Sax Jazz Bar and Restaurant in Barangay Balibago.
In San Fernando, a similar halogen spotlight was also used at the Mr. Golf Driving Range and Restaurant two weeks ago. Escosia noted that people normally tend to exaggerate what they see when they fail to identify the light source.
He also cited the alleged UFO sightings in Las Pinas and Cavite which later turned out to be man-made hot air balloons used every May 18 in celebration of Cavite's patron saint.
But Escosia said his team has yet to identify other unexplained UFO sightings including the saucer-like aircraft which reportedly landed in Valencia, Ormoc city in 1984.
Escosia also said his team is set to investigate another UFO sighting in Negros Occidental. He said at least 10 persons reportedly saw a ball of light hovering for about 10 minutes last September 23.
• Story originally published in • Note: For earlier related Philippines UFO stories see: Incident At Las Piñas
Pampanga Sun-Star / Philippines | By Minerva S. Zamora - November 22 2000
