Sinas says PNP to get up to 10 more choppers

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) is adding up to 10 more helicopters to its current inventory of the aircraft, according to PNP Chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Wednesday (Nov. 18).

“More are arriving if I’m not mistaken eight to 10 choppers,” he told reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, speaking in Filipino. “That’s been bid out already. We’re just awaiting delivery,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the delivery of the helicopters, he said, without elaborating on procurement details.

Sinas said the helicopters will be used by the entire PNP, not just by the elite Special Action Force (SAF).

“Actually we are changing it,” he said in Filipino. “That’s no longer a SAF unit. We’ll make it Air Group of PNP because it’s going to be a fleet already,” he added.

He said the helicopters will service not only the SAF but also police regional offices. “If you notice, when we were in Cagayan Valley. Our chopper was used to transport relief goods,” he said.

TSB