Former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa welcomes probe into alleged PNP procurement scams

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police Jesus Verzosa welcomed investigations on the police force’s alleged anomalous transactions during his term.

Verzosa, through his counsel lawyer Benjamin delos Santos, said on Tuesday that the “systems and procedures are in place in the PNP bidding processes. Complete staff action was undertaken before it reached me for approval.”

The PNP is investigating the procurement of two Robinson R44 helicopters which were found to have 500 flying hours even before they were bought in 2009. It is also probing the purchase of 75 units of rubber boats, and 93 outboard motor engines which have yet to be used by the police since they were delivered  in 2010.

Verzosa said that he had no knowledge of “any irregularities or violation of the procurement law” under his watch.