Senator Lacson bares PNP anomalies

A former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Senator Panfilo Lacson did not mince words in a speech before the PNP on Monday when he revealed overpricing anomalies allegedly involving the police. At the PNP flag-raising ceremonies in Camp Crame, Lacson bared the alleged overpricing of three helicopters that the PNP bought in 2009 at P105 million. He also pointed out that two of these helicopters are not brand new. “Bakit babayaran ng Philippine National Police sa halagang P35 to P37 million pesos ang isang lumang helicopter, o ang dalawang helicopters na nagkakahalaga bawat isa ng limang milyong piso," Lacson said. But PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. belied accusations of irregularity in an interview aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast. “ ‘Yung records naman nito ay transparent," he said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Lacson has also branded as illegal the disbursement of funds from the road users’ tax which are meant for the maintenance of highways but were given to the police instead. “Maliwanag, ‘yung road users’ tax, para sa maintenance ng highways, eh. Pero bakit napunta sa police?" the senator said. But Cruz countered that PNP records would bear them out and clear the police. “‘Yan naman ay may records. ‘Yan naman ay ipapakita din ng Philippine National Police nang sa ganoon po ay mawala ang duda sa ating kapulisan," the PNP spokesman said. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/MRT/VS, GMA News