PNP officials blame supplier for choppers mess

At least two officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are blaming the chopper supplier for the PNP's acquisition of two pre-owned helicopters passed off as brand new in 2009. During Thursday's Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the PNP choppers mess, PNP inspection and acceptance committee chairman Director George Piano and PNP negotiation committee chairman Director Luizo Ticman blamed Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) for the controversy. The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, which was supposedly acting on First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo's orders. "If the supplier knows what he's going to deliver, then I think it's the supplier's (fault)," Ticman said. "I think I will also agree with Piano that it's the responsibility of the supplier," he added. Chief Supt. Herold Ubalde had claimed that MAPTRA deceived them into thinking that the choppers were brand new. MAPTRA lawyer Luis Rivera, who was present during an earlier hearing, had denied that his client deceived the PNP. The PNP officials issued the statement after Sen. Francis Escudero got tired of the officials trying to wash their hands of guilt in the controversy. "Who should we lay the blame on? Sino po ang dapat naming sisihin," Escudero said during the same hearing. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, insisted that the PNP officials should have based their inspection and acceptance of the choppers on the supply contract. "What is the purpose of the contract?" he said. But PNP inspection team member Superintendent Larry Balmaceda said they could not determine at which point the specifications and requirements of the PNP changed. But in an earlier hearing, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa is the “most guilty" personality in the controversy because he allowed it to happen. The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time. — RSJ/LBG, GMA News