THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired nearly P3 billion worth of equipment, including two new helicopters, to boost operational capability.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa presented the newly acquired equipment in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Each single engine turbine helicopter cost P225 million.
“We have seven as of now. Hopefully before I retire the last three will be coming up so we will leave the PNP with 10 (helicopters),” Gamboa said in an interview with reporters.
The 10 helicopters include one twin engine, seven single airbus and two R44 training helicopters which, according to Gamboa, can also be used for other administrative functions.
The other newly procured items are: 25 units 7.62mm light machine gun, 7,700 units Galil Ace 5.56mm basic assault rifle, 2,037 units Emtan 5.56mm basic assault rifle, 5,500 units tisaszigma px-9.9mm striker fired pistol, 11,408 units canik 9mm striker fired pistol, 8,001 units taurus sker fired pistol, 5.56mm ctg link ss109 and 53,377 pieces 5.56mm 30 rounds magazine.
The PNP also acquired one unit bomb suit, three units Explosive Ordnance Division robot, 8,425 units enhanced combat helmet level III, 3,413 units undershirt vest level IIIa, 225 units night vision googles, 19,861 units ballistic eyewear, 4,640 units dmr handheld radio, 397 manpack radio, 3 units signal jammer and 10 units tracking optics' fire control system.
“(These are all brand new) all the procurement in the PNP part of the bidding documents obliges all suppliers that it should be brand new,” said Gamboa.
Also, P3.1 million worth of 31 units of troop carriers were acquired which will be used by the Special Action Forces.
The PNP also presented 12 units of PNP pick-up trucks worth P1.6 million each, which will be deployed at the Misamis Occidental Police Office.
The acquisition was funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2014 to 2019 as well as the President’s contingency fund.
As he presented the helmets, Gamboa noted that a helmet once saved the life of a policemen when they were ambushed by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Bukidnon.
Gamboa said all equipment underwent strict testing to see if all the parameters were complied with.
"It has been the assurance through the committee na dapat sinusunod ang parameters na lahat ay compliant sa standards," he said.
“Just to give you an example there’s a product from Turkey it has underwent 20,000 rounds but after that through inspection may hairline na crack so that is not acceptable, in that delivery it was supposed to be 5,000 so the company should replace the entire 5,000,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gamboa said over 2,800 units of body cameras are expected to arrive in May. (SunStar Philippines)