PNP officials at Senate probe on ‘second hand choppers’

MANILA, Philippines — Ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) appeared at a Senate hearing on Thursday to shed light on Senator Panfilo Lacson’s allegations that it purchased used helicopters from the Arroyos in 2009.

Present at the hearing of the blue ribbon committee were  PNP chief Raul Bacalzo and members of the PNP’s negotiation  committee, which recommended the award of the contract for one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters to the Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp or MAPTRA.

But Lacson claimed that he was in possession of documents which  would indicate that the helicopters were pre-owned but sold to the PNP as brand new by the  Arroyos.

MAPTRA officials were also summoned to the hearing but didn’t show up.

Former PNP chief Jesus Versoza, under whose leadership the supply contract was signed, was also present.