Ex-PNP chief denies ‘ghost repairs’ of armored vehicles
There were no “ghost repairs.”
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said it was wrong to speak of ghost repairs because the 28 V-150 Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) at the center of a controversy really underwent repairs and refurbishment during his term of office.
“The V-150s were repaired or refurbished. If ever, we can call it ‘alleged anomalous repairs or irregular repairs.’ Calling it a ghost repair is bringing it too off-center,” said Razon over lunch with reporters Thursday.
Razon, one of 36 former and current police officers named by a fact-finding body in the allegedly anomalous repair of the LAVs for P409.74 million in 2007, said he stood by the decision to enter into the contract.
Vehement denial
He vehemently denied colluding with suppliers to rig the bidding—which according to a six-member fact-finding committee violated audit regulations because the cost of repairs exceeded 30 percent of the acquisition cost of the armored vehicles.
The committee also noted the “haste” by which the paperwork was processed and payments for the repairs made in January 2007, “even before the first of the refurbished units was yet to be delivered seven months later.”
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is probing the criminal aspect of the transaction.
Of the 28 armored vehicles, “only 15 remained service-able while 13 units were currently unserviceable,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. had told reporters the other day.
“Breakdowns and defects continue to be reported by end-users,” he had said.
In good faith
Razon said he believed the members of the PNP bids and awards committee (BAC) had acted in good faith.
“I relied on the good judgment of my subordinates at NHQ (national headquarters) BAC. I believe they acted in good faith. Our decisions were for the best interest of the PNP at a time that required the repair of these essential tactical fighting vehicles,” he said.
Razon said the PNP “was also in the middle of the fight against terrorism and insurgency” and the upkeep and upgrade of the V-150s was a priority.
“I’d like to participate in the investigation and clear my name to remove the cloud of doubt that there’s an anomaly or irregularity that I participated in. I welcome this investigation. I’ll participate in it and cooperate in it,” he said.
Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, meanwhile, said he had directed the CIDG to determine any criminal liability of the PNP officers, including Razon, and six suppliers “who allegedly participated and conspired with each other in the rigged bidding and ghost repair.”
He gave the probers 15 days to complete the investigation.
Robredo said there were likely violations of government procurement laws as well as graft and corruption attending the deal.
Collusion
“This could not have happened if there was no collusion between and among the bidders and the PNP personnel involved,” the secretary said.
Robredo pointed out the invitation to bid for the repair and refurbishing of the V-150s was published by the PNP Logistics Support Service—which had no authority to do so—in ALPPA Times which, he said, was a hao siao (fake) newspaper.
“The publication was made in 2007 and there were certifications that it was widely circulated in Camp Crame. But I was informed the paper was nonexistent by 2007 because it had ceased operations in 2005 after its owner died,” he said.
