Lacson supports call for probe on PNP’s purchase of Mahindra vehicles

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday joined the call of Senator Grace Poe to conduct an investigation into the Philippine National Police’s purchase of Mahindra police patrol jeeps worth P1.8 billion.

“Noong pino-procure pa lang, walang after sales service, walang track record, parang may mali na. At that time, inisip ko, mali na agad ang pag-procure,” the senator said in a forum.

“After these vehicles were distributed lumabas na nga yung katakot takot na problema, mga reklamo ng mga pulis na wala pang one year, hindi na nagagamit [yung patrol jeeps],” Lacson said.

COA report

The Commission on Audit (COA) has recently flagged the PNP for purchasing over 2,000 Mahindra patrol units worth P1.8 billion that are deemed unfit for operations.

In the 2017 report, COA said the Mahindra vehicles “pushed back the full attainment” of police operations because the patrol jeeps broke down frequently.

The state audit agency also said no performance evaluation was conducted for 1,656 Mahindra vehicles before purchasing an additional 206 units.

Senator Poe’s call

The problems with the India-made vehicles pushed Senator Grace Poe to examine the accountability of the PNP.

“I will push for an inquiry to look into these and determine the culpability of the PNP officials, among others,” she said in a statement.

Lacson supports the investigation to determine who is accountable and to prevent the problem from happening again.

“I will second the call of Senator Poe to call for investigation. After all, 1.8 billion pesos ang involved. Kailangan talagang tignan para di na maulit uli. Palabasin kung sino dapat ang managot,” Lacson said. — Syrah Vivien Inocencio/INQUIRER.net Intern