PNP gets P784M worth of cars, weapons, gear

The Philippine National Police on Thursday got P784 million worth of guns, vests and cars meant to  “enhance the basic operational requirements of every PNP unit” in the country.

According to the PNP chief, Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, the 95 4×4 pickups, 10,000 9mm pistols, 78 light machine guns, 3,684 combat helmets, 2,255 tactical vests and over 500,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition were part of the PNP capability enhancement program (CEP) of 2014 to 2019.

“For the last three years, we have already acquired P22 billion for our CEP,” the PNP chief added.

Firepower, mobility

PNP deputy chief for operations Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, who chairs the PNP national headquarters bids and awards committee, said the weapons and other new purchases were funded through appropriations from the PNP CEP and the 2018 General Appropriations Act.

“The procurement is part of the continuing effort of the PNP leadership and the national government to enhance the firepower, mobility, communication and investigative capabilities of PNP operating units,” Gamboa said.

The new vehicles will be distributed to provincial and city headquarters, while the pistols will be issued to new police recruits, Gamboa said, adding that police mobile forces will get the ammunition, light machine guns, combat helmets and tactical vests.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) meanwhile donated two vehicles, an armored escort van and an armored truck to the Cagayan Valley police office.

According to Albayalde, the armored vehicles were declared abandoned and seized by the BOC.