By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police (PNP) acquired about P1.871 billion worth of newly-procured helicopters, patrol vehicles, firearms and other equipment which were presented at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City Monday.
Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, personally witnessed the turnover of 23,800 units of equipment which were bought under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) from 2014 to 2018.
Police General Oscar Albayalde onboard a single-engine Airbus H125 helicopter which is among the P1.871 billion worth of newly-procured equipment of the PNP under its Capability Enhancement Program. (Sourced photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
The newly-procured equipment included one single-engine Airbus H125 helicopter, 107 4x2 single cab patrol jeepneys, 349125cc motorcycles, 9,000 striker-fired 9mm pistols, 42 7.62 mm MG3 light machine guns, 3,045 waistcoast vest level 3A with upgrade plate level IV body armors, 11,084 enhanced combat helmets; 124 tactical radios, and 48 explosives detection dogs.
Albayalde said the equipment are expected to "enhance the firepower, mobility, communication and investigative capabilities of PNP operating units."
According to Albayalde, a unit of the multi-role helicopter will be given to the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) "primarily to support internal security, law enforcement and public safety operations of PNP units in Mindanao and Visayas."
Four helicopters are expected to arrive in June and October while three more units will be delivered in 2020.
Albayalde said President Duterte wants all of the police regional offices in the country to have at least one helicopter, a dream which the country's top cop has for the PNP.
Meanwhile, the combat helmets, tactical radios, body armor, sidearms, motorcycles, and patrol vehicles will fill up existing shortages of such equipment among the line units, he added.
The PNP Maritime Group (MG) will receive the light machine guns "to arm its newly-acquired fleet of high-speed tactical watercraft for police maritime patrol operations in coastal areas."
The equipment are targetted to be delivered to the respective recipients within the week so that the policemen will be more equipped for the May 13 midterm polls. (Martin A. Sadongdong)