Sinas says more air assets set to arrive for PNP

Additional air assets will arrive for the Philippine National Police which will help in their operations, its chief Police General Debold Sinas said on Wednesday. 

Speaking to reporters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, Sinas said eight to 10 choppers are expected to arrive. He, however, did not mention when the air assets will arrive. 

The arrival of the choppers was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Sinas. 

"Mayroon pang darating na kung 'di ako nagkamali, eight to 10 choppers. Na-bid na po 'yan. Ang hinihintay na lang is 'yung delivery. I talked to General Archie Gamboa, siya kasi 'yung sa time niya 'yan, siya 'yung deputy... We are very happy na tapos na 'yan. Hinihintay na lang ang delivery," Sinas said. 

"Medyo na-hold lang kaunti 'yan because of the pandemic plus 'yung nangyari sa kanila. Tuloy-tuloy na 'yan," he added. 

Sinas said the choppers would not solely be utilized by the elite Special Action Force but also by police regional officers across the country. 

"Actually babaguhin namin 'yan, 'di na 'yan SAF air unit. Gawin na namin 'yang air group ng PNP. Maging fleet na 'yan eh. So 'pag maka-acquire pa kami ng walo plus dalawa, e 'di sampu. 'Yung nag-crash na chopper, mayroon 'yung insurance. Certain amount 'yun, dagdagan na lang, puwede ulit bumili ng dalawa," Sinas said. 

Early this month, the police force acquired more than P1.2 billion worth of assets and equipment as part of its modernization program under the police's PATROL Plan 2030.

In March this year, the PNP chopper ferrying former PNP chief Archie Gamboa and other police officials crashed in Laguna. —KG, GMA News