27 top cops face raps over chopper scam

Twenty-seven police officers involved in the purchase of two used helicopters passed off as brand new may face criminal and administrative charges.

Director General Raul Bacalzo of the Philippine National Police said the fact-finding committee created to look into allegations first raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson had already completed its report.

Interviewed at the Senate session hall on Tuesday, Bacalzo said the committee had established “serious irregularities in the procurement” of the two choppers that the PNP paid full price for.

He added that the officers would also be investigated for “failure (to) exercise due diligence” since they agreed to accept secondhand units when the supply contract indicated that the units should be brand new.

President Aquino wants conviction

In Tagbilaran, Bohol province, President Aquino said he wanted a conviction if charges were filed in connection with the sale of used helicopters to the PNP.

“Naturally, we will go where the evidence points us to,” Mr. Aquino said when asked about his reaction to the testimonies before a Senate inquiry implicating former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Lacson stirred a hornet’s nest when he alleged in a speech on July 4 that the PNP purchased two second-hand helicopters at brand new rates.

The PNP admitted at a hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee that it spent P105 million for the purchase of three supposedly brand new Robinson R-44 Raven helicopters.

Lacson said only one of the helicopters delivered in late 2009 was brand new. The two others were used, each already logging an average of 500 hours in flying time at the time of the purchase.

Bacalzo said that on the basis of the fact-finding committee’s recommendations, he had directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to “conduct a more intensive investigation to determine individual liabilities” of those involved in the sale.

Asked about the identities of those who will be investigated, Bacalzo said, “Practically all officers who are appearing in the Senate investigation on the same issue.”

“I’m also requesting the Senate to furnish us with its findings but we (in the PNP) are looking at (the filing of a) criminal case like violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and administrative charges like gross negligence,” Bacalzo told the Inquirer. Reports from Cathy Yamsuan and Norman Bordadora