PNP to file charges for purchase of incompatible boats, motors

MANILA, Philippines – Following the plunder case it filed over the second-hand helicopters scandal, the Philippine National Police is poised to file more criminal charges against top retired and active police officials, this time, in connection with the PNP’s purchase of rubber boats and outboard motors in 2009.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said it would file on Thursday a complaint for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices law and related charges against “more than 20” police officials and private suppliers involved in the P131.5 million transaction.

The case will be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, according to the CIDG deputy head, Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona.

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo revealed recently that at least 75 rubber boats bought by the PNP shortly after Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009 had never been used because they had incompatible motors.

He said the boats – along with the 93 outboard motors that would supposedly power them – were gathering dust in a garage in Parañaque City. The boats required 40-horsepower engines, but what the PNP got were 60-horsepower units instead.

Estipona said members of the bids and awards committee, the inspection team and the technical working group involved in the transaction would be charged, along with private suppliers named in the purchase documents.

Unlike the chopper investigation, however, Estipona said plunder would not be included among the charges as the evidence did not warrant indictment for plunder.

Among the 26 named in the plunder case filed by the CIDG last week were former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, former PNP chief Jesus Versoza, and former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, along with three suppliers.