PNP acquires new boats, trucks, communication equipment to support operations

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired new boats, trucks, jeeps, and radios worth P576.67 million to support police operations.

“These vehicles and communication equipment make up the backbone of police operations, the field that are expected to further boost police patrol and visibility in land and sea environment to meet requirements for greater police presence in communities under heightened COVID alert levels and to support KASIMBAYANAN SAFE initiatives for the forthcoming 2022 national and local elections,” PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said on Wednesday.

Last week, the PNP launched the campaign dubbed Secure, Accurate, Free and Fair National and Local Elections (SAFE) 2022 that gathered poll watchdogs, religious groups and concerned government agencies.

Among the latest inclusions to the PNP fleet of seacraft are 10 police high-speed tactical watercraft powered by twin 250 horsepower engines.

These will beef up the existing police gunboats currently in the PNP Maritime Group and Special Action Force for seaborne police operations and preventive patrol along the country’s 36,000-kilometer shoreline and coastal borders.

Also acquired were 34 six-wheel utility trucks, 123 4x2 patrol vehicles, 170 low-band VHF tactical radio sets, and 1,628 handheld digital mobile radio transceivers.

“With more communication equipment available, we can now swiftly provide immediate rapid reaction to calls for police assistance and emergency response,” Carlos said.

The procurement program was funded under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program for 2020 and 2021, the agency said. — VBL, GMA News