The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired 10 high-speed tactical watercraft for seaborne and coastal patrols in the latest procurement of brand new equipment amounting to more than P576 million.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said each watercraft is powered by triple 250 horsepower engines.
"The new seacraft will beef-up the existing fleet of police gunboats currently in service with the PNP Maritime Group and Special Action Force for seaborne police operations and preventive patrol along the country’s 36,000 kilometer shoreline, and coastal borders," said Carlos.
Aside from the high-speed seacraft, also bought were 34 six-wheel utility trucks, 123 4x2 patrol vehicles, 170 lowband VHF tactical radio sets, and 1,628 handheld Digital Mobile Radio transceivers.
The procurement is part of the budget intended for PNP modernization under the Capability Enhancement Program for the years 2020 and 2021.
“These vehicles and communication equipment make up the backbone of police operations the field that are expected to further boost police patrol and visibility in land and sea environment to meet requirements for greater police presence in communities under heightened COVID Alert levels," said Carlos.
He said the arrival of the newly-bought equipment is timely for the national and local elections.
“Especially with more communication equipment available, we can now swiftly provide immediate rapid reaction to calls for police assistance and emergency response,” he said.