Police defend acquisition of K9 units instead of body cameras

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) defended on Thursday, February 1, its decision to purchase bomb-sniffing dogs instead of body cameras that the men could use during the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations.

"Can you prevent bombs from exploding with body cams? No. But you can prevent that with bomb-sniffing dogs," said PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa.

"Kanya-kanya tayong priority. Siguro sa mga kritiko, priority nila 'yung mga body camera because talagang naghahanap sila ng butas sa aming operation (Perhaps the critics want us to acquire body cameras because they want to find loopholes in our operations)," he added.

He said they prioritized equipment to support anti-criminality and anti-terrorism operations, including mission-essential equipment for mobility, firepower, communications, investigation and counter-terrorism under the 2017 annual procurement plan.

The police was allotted P6.49 billion for its capability enhancement program for 2017.

Dela Rosa said the 48 K9 units, which cost P545,000 each, are now undergoing training at the PNP kennel in Alfonso, Cavite.

Each dog has a life expectancy of up to 15 years, according to the K9 handlers.

The PNP has 208 K9 units in its inventory, now providing support to operations to the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Group (EOD-K9).

“During the crafting of 2017 budget in 2016, less priority ang body cams. Sa paggawa ng 2018 budget, we already (felt) the heat, nagre-react kami sa (mga) kritiko. Hindi kami manhid,” he said.

On Wednesday, Senator Ralph Rector scored the PNP for buying K9 units instead of body cameras.

"Doon sa P1.9 billion na release, may nakalaan para sa machine guns, boats, motorcycles, anti-riot gear, body vests, pati aso, pero medyo nakaligtaan ang body cams," Recto said.

"Hopefully, body cams were included in subsequent releases, if there were. By September, may balanse pa na P3.7 billion doon sa P5.6 billion na pondo for police modernization," he added.

Dela Rosa assured that the PNP has allotted P334 million for the procurement of body-worn cameras, which are expected to arrive in June.

Policemen were encouraged to wear body cameras during the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations following the killing of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Kian delos Santos.

Police involved in both incidents claimed the two were killed after they tried to engage them in a firefight while in a regular conduct on anti-illegal drugs and criminality operations although the evidences as well as the witnesses claimed that both of the teenagers were intentionally killed.

The PNP has acquired 45,457 assorted equipment for the enhancement of its operational capability, including those used in Marawi City.

Dela Rosa, who led the blessing and inauguration of the newly procured items in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, said the equipment will be distributed to various PNP offices and regional police stations.

He said they also aim to enhance operational readiness and personal protection during police operations in the campaign against terrorism, illegal drugs and criminality either in the urban or rural areas.

Among the newly procured equipment are 14 brand new police marked vans, 146 brand new light transport vehicles, 323 135cc motorcycles, two brand new mini buses, 31 brand new utility trucks, two forklifts, 743 sub-machine guns, 97 7.62mm light machine guns, 87 VHF low-band tactical transceivers (with accessories), 160 HF/SSB base radios, 122 HF/SSB base radio transceivers, 93 explosive detector dogs, 427 night vision goggles (monocular), 1,489 global positioning system (GPS), 1,766 fingerprint kits, two facial recognition systems and 18 computer forensic devices.

The PNP also bought 180 4x4 personnel carrier, 11 125cc motorcycles, two SOCO vans, 3 4x4 pick-up trucks, 313 5.56 basic assault rifle, 5,470 handheld radio, 104 base radios, 1,018 mobile radios, 81 conventional repeater, 6,883 anti-riot shield, 7,441 anti-riot body armor, 12,424 undershirt vests, six rotary blade/propelled wing unmanned aerial vehicle, and three 25-KVA generator set.

The Marawi City Police Station will receive the 125cc motorcycles, two SOCO vans, five brand new light transport vehicle, three 4x4 pick-up trucks as well as brand new utility trucks, 5.56 basic assault rifle, handheld, mobile and base radios, conventional repeater, undershirt vests, rotary blade/propelled wing unmanned aerial vehicle and 25-KVA generator set. (SunStar Philippines)

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