Tolentino mulls adopting rental method to bolster naval, police assets

Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Citing efficiency and practicability as reasons, Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino is considering requiring the government to adopt a rental method in procuring assets to bolster the capabilities of the Philippine police and naval forces.

Tolentino said several countries, including Singapore, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and India, lease naval and police assets from other countries to enhance their capabilities without the high costs of outright purchases and maintenance.

The senator proposed earlier to the government to lease ships from other countries in light of the withdrawal of the BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda Shoal last Sept. 13, which the Chinese swarmed.

Conferring with Commander John Percie A. Alcos, director of the Philippine Navy Public Affairs Office, Tolentino on Thursday was told that it took almost five years for the government to acquire 32-meter attack and missile-capable ships from Israel, from procurement approval to asset delivery.

Alcos revealed that the planning stage of acquiring the assets started in 2016, the request for procurement was approved in 2019, the contract was approved in 2022, and the delivery of the assets is expected to be completed in 2024.

He agreed with the senator on the proposal to expand the naval fleet through leases from other countries, which he said would become a force multiplier for the Philippine Navy.

Tolentino expounded on the benefits of leasing maritime assets from other countries, like Singapore, which acquired its submarine through a lease from Sweden, strengthening its naval forces.

READ: PH mulls leasing foreign ships to expand West Philippine Sea presence

He related a story from PGen Rommel Francisco Marbil, who told him that Australia also rents assets used by the police, such as police cars and ambulances.

“Leasing assets to upgrade the capability of our force has been a practice for many countries, including the United States, with the logistic support ships of its marines is through the rental method,” Tolentino said.