Still stinging from aborted rifle deal, PNP OKs Glock handgun contract

The Philippine National Police (PNP), still under a shroud of suspicion for an aborted deal for allegedly overpriced assault rifles, has approved a P1.2-billion contract that will provide the force with nearly 60,000 handguns. Nearly half of the police force do not possess an official handgun. Many policemen, however, are known to have privately owned guns. 

According to a statement released Thursday, PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome has signed the PNP’s contract with Trust Trade Philippines and Glock Asia for the supply of 59,904 units of Glock 17 Generation 4 pistols at a cost of Php16,659.94 per unit — a move seen to address the agency’s shortage in basic and essential equipment. The PNP said the contract has yielded a savings of around P200 million for the agency. The pistols were part of overpricing allegations and claims that the bidding process was hastily done. However, the PNP has insisted that there were no anomalous procedures regarding the procurement of the guns. The statement also noted that, in accordance with the supply contract, each unit will contain a complete set consisting of two spare clips, a cleaning kit, a user's manual, a carrying case and a basic load of 28 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The PNP currently has an assortment of 85,689 handguns issued to 143,104 personnel. "This particular procurement program, the biggest in recent years and most advantageous for government, shall henceforth set the standard for transparency and accountability in future procurement programs," Bartolome said. The PNP’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) will issue a Notice to Proceed to Trust Trade Philippines within the next three days, giving the supplier around 570 days to complete its five-tranche delivery. Around 12,000 units are expected in the initial delivery in February 2013. “Thereafter, two succeeding deliveries are due every 120 calendar days, and two more deliveries in the last 180 days of the delivery period,” the PNP said in the statement. The P1.198-billion procurement is funded by a combined 2011-2012 Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) appropriation. Bartolome said the way in which the guns were acquired, which he said was consistent with the Government Procurement Reform Act, will be a benchmark for the “transparency and accountability” of succeeding processes. "This particular procurement program, the biggest in recent years and most advantageous for government, shall henceforth set the standard for transparency and accountability in future procurement programs," Bartolome said. Apart from acquiring the handguns, the PNP was also supposed to procure M4 assault rifles for the force. The procurement, however, became controversial due to questions about overpricing raised by President Aquino himself, and has been suspended. — Gian C. Geronimo/KBK/HS, GMA News