PNP purchases P1.8B worth of new mission-essential equipment

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has purchased P1.871 billion worth of mission-essential equipment which include helicopters, firearms, radios and explosive-detection dogs.

At a press briefing in Taguig City on Monday, Police General Oscar Albayalde said the 23,800 units of newly procured equipment aim to enhance the firepower, mobility, communication as well as investigating capabilities of police operating units.

"The PNP Capability Enhancement Program aims to provide for and enhance the basic operational requirements of every PNP unit especially the municipal and city police stations, regional public safety battalions, provincial public safety companies and national support units," Albayalde said.

According to the PNP chief, the equipment include the following:

• 2 units Single Engine Helicopter (Airbus H125)
• 107 units Patrol Jeep 4x2 Single Cab (Toyota Hi-lux)
• 349 units 125cc Motorcyle (Honda XRM)
• 5,000 units Striker Fired 9mm Pistol (Canik TP9SF Elite-S)
• 4,000 units Striker Fired 9mm Pistol (Taurus TS9)
• 42 units 7.62mm MG3 Light Machine Gun (Pakistan Ordnance Factory)
• 3,045 units Waistcoat Vest Level 3A with Upgrade Plate Level IV
• 11,084 Enhanced Combat Helmet
• 124 units Tactical Radio (VHF Lowband)
• 48 Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs)

Albayalde said the multi-role single engine helicopter would be assigned to the PNP Special Action Force to "support internal security, law enforcement and public safety operations of PNP units in Mindanao and Visayas."

He said the combat helmets, tactical radios, body armor, sidearms, motorcycles and patrol vehicles will fill the existing shortage of the said pieces of equipment among the line units.

Albayalde also said the machine guns would be issued to the police's maritime group to arm its newly-acquired fleet of high speed tactical watercraft which is used during patrol operations in coastal areas.

Election

According to Albayalde, the newly procured equipment will also be used in securing peace and order this upcoming elections, noting that there are already specific units where the mobility assets and firearms will be assigned.

"Yes, ihahabol natin 'yan. Lahat 'yan. Lahat ng madedeliver, itong mobility assets natin, lahat ng firearms natin, they will be delivered within the week. Although 'yung mga malalayo, particularly sa Mindanao, we cannot promise na we will meet the deadline by next week before the May 13 elections," Albayalde said.

"We will do our best lalong-lalo na sa mga critical areas and also 'yung Comelec (Commission on Elections) control. Like 'yung ano, puwedeng-puwede 'yan 'yung sa Daraga, madaling i-ano kasi by land lang," he added.

Meanwhile, Albayalde said police have not received any "serious or specific threat" from other groups this poll period.

"What we have now is intense political rivalry, we have incidents of nagsusuntukan, nagtatapon ng granada, mayroon din 'yung nagsasaksakan. Of  course we also have atrocities perpetrated by communists terrorist groups natin." Albayalde said.

He said police are aiming to deliver the equipment in Mindanao region where there is ongoing threat caused by local terrorist groups. —KBK, GMA News