P1.8 billion worth of equipment for PNP, including chopper, presented

May 6, 2019

A total of P1.8 billion worth of police equipment, including a helicopter, were presented by the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Monday during a blessing ceremony held in Taguig City.

The ceremony was led by PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde, Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, chairman of the National Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee, and Major General Guillermo Eleazar, National Capitol Region director.

Gamboa presented to Albayalde the 23,800 procured equipment sourced from Capability Enhancement Program calendar year 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 balances and supplemental fund.

A on- unit single engine helicopter Airbus H125 was inspected by Albayalde during the ceremony.

In a press briefing, Albayalde said they received a helicopter last year and are still expecting more.

“This is the third time actually. We have one brand new before that was purchased last year and was delivered April last year,” he said.

He said two helicopters were expected but one had technical problem.

“These two will be deployed in Mindanao and Visayas and by the end of the year… on June we are expecting another two deliveries of helicopters and by October we have another two. Then another three next year,” Albayalde added.

“So by that time, we can (provide) one helicopter per region. Actually that is the wish of the president, he said he want to have one helicopter per region and here in NCR at least two for the use of national headquarters and NCRPO,” he said.

They will also set to train more pilots and improved the capabilities of those who are CAAP rated.

“For the coming next year, we have to train more pilots and we will upgrade their licenses. All of them are CAAP rated since these helicopters are all insured,” said Albayalde.

Also, 9,000 units of pistol and 42 machine guns were also procured that will be distributed to the newly recruited PNP personnel while the other equipment such as patrol jeep and motorcycle is set to be distributed to police stations to fill up their lacking mobility assets.

“Our percentage fill up is at 77 percent compared to the number of personnel we have but for 2018, we have another 53,000 procurement so that will now be 100 percent by the end of this year in terms of short firearms,” he said.

“While the light machine guns will be issued to the Maritime Group to arm its newly-acquired fleet of high speed tactical watercraft for police maritime patrol operations in coastal areas,” he said.

Albayalde said they are hoping to send these newly procured equipment to different provinces that may be a big help for the upcoming election.

“We will try to deliver all mobility assets and all firearms within the week, although we cannot promise that will be able to meet the deadline of delivering in far-areas in Mindanao,” said Albayalde.

“We will do our best (to deliver) especially on those critical areas and under Comelec control,” he said.

A total of 3,045 waistcoat vests and 11,084 enhanced combat helmets will also be distributed to the police mobile forces nationwide.

“The combat helmets, tactical radios, body armor, sidearms, motorcycles and patrol vehicles will fill-up existing shortages of these equipment among the line units,” said Albayalde.

Albayalde also led the wearing of collars for the 48 explosive detection dogs for K9 units and other police regional offices, including the Maritime Group and Special Action Force to make them ready in the campaign against terrorism. Ella Dionisio/DMS