DND to procure night vision devices for PHL Army

The Philippine military is in the process of procuring thermal imaging devices to help Army troops in conducting nighttime operations against terrorists and other security threats.

The Department of National Defense (DND) has allotted P240 million for the procurement, and interested parties have until December 20, 2016 to submit their bids, according to the Invitation to Bid.

The department held a pre-bid conference last Thursday for the project, which is opened to all foreign and local bidders, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

According to the Invitation to Bid, the items should be delivered within a period of 180 days from the issuance of Notice to Proceed.

The invitation to bid was prepared by DND assistant secretary for financial management Josue Gaverza, who chairs the DND Bids and Awards Committee.

"Bidders should have completed, within the last five years from the date of submission and receipt of the bids, a contract similar to the project being applied," said Gaverza in the invitation.

The Philippine Army, meanwhile, welcomed the acquisition of the thermal imaging devices.

"That is part of our modernization," Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said. "That will be for the use of our specialized forces. They will help us see the battlefield better."

By specialized forces, Hao meant the elite troops from the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which is based in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

SOCOM is composed of three major units, namely the First Scout Ranger Regiment, the Special Forces Company, and the counter-terrorist Light Regiment Regiment.

"Our soldiers will see the enemy even when they are hiding with the equipment, those are some of the benefits of these equipment. They will be used during night time," Hao said. —KBK, GMA News