PNP forms body to dig deeper into purchase of mismatched rubber boats, engines

MANILA, Philippines – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said on Thursday he has formed a team led by CIDG deputy director Benito Estipona to probe anomalies in the purchase of rubber boats way back in 2009 at the height of the storm Ondoy.

He said that as of Thursday, the investigating team was still in the process of reviewing documents. The team had sent requests for records of the transaction to other PNP units, including the Directorate for Logistics.

PNP Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr. said as far as he knew, the probe of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) on allegations that the PNP bought second-hand helicopters for the price of brand new was finished.

Bacalzo gave the DIDM until Friday to complete its investigation, and is expected to announce the results of the probe soon.

The police have learned that rubber boats purchased during the storm Ondoy for rescue operations could not be used because the wrong engines were bought for them.