PNP supplier explains rubber boats

The supplier of the controversial rubber boats and outboard motors purchased by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009 explained to investigators that it had faithfully followed the PNP’s specifications when supplied the equipment.

Harold Ong, a representative of supplier Enviro-Aire, told the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) that the P131.5 million transaction for the purchase of 75 rubber boats and 93 outboard motors had been aboveboard.

Ong told investigators that the PNP Maritime Group had asked for “a minimum of 40-horsepower engines,” thus, 60-horsepower engines were provided, said CIDG Deputy Chief Benito Estipona.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo earlier said the boats—along with the outboard motors supposed to power them—were gathering dust at a Parañaque garage because they were incompatible and unusable.

But Ong claimed that the Enviro-Aire rubber boats were compatible with the outboard motors that came with them, Estipona said.

“Based on my understanding of their explanation, the outboard motors were compatible with the rubber boats that were provided by the same supplier, but not the other rubber boats that came from other suppliers,” he said.