Three more helicopters were added in the air fleet of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the latest procurement spree that also include thousands of assault rifles and machine guns, and 51 drones.
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, said the delivery of two R44 training helicopters, one unit of Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, an Airbus H125 single engine chopper would be a big boost in the law enforcement functions of the police in terms of air support.
“We now have five (helicopters) and five more are coming, two are towards the end of this year and three more in the middle of next year,” said Gamboa.
The five choppers which will be delivered are all airbuses, according to Gamboa.
Gamboa said the two R44 training helicopters will be used to train police pilots in anticipation of more procurement of air assets in the future.
The two training choppers were delivered by the Lion Air Inc. represented by Michael Maligat, head of Public Sector Projects Delivery Team and three others.
In an interview, Maligat said that the price of the two brand new R44 training helicopters is P76 million, the procurement process started at the time of then PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
“These R44 are okay for training on surveillance and reconnaissance before the pilots shift to attack helicopters,” said Maligat.
“As individuals of corporate entities, we should all do what we can to support initiatives for the betterment of law enforcement, for the benefit of all,” he added.
Aside from the choppers, also delivered were 52 drones; 21,992 units of Galil 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles; 1,667 units of K2C 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles; 205 units of K3 5.56mm Light Machine Guns; eight units of NEGEV 5.56mm Light Machine Guns; 141 units of NEGEV 7.62mm Light Machine Guns; 18,354 units of 9mm pistols and 7,962 units of helmets.
The assault rifles, machine guns and helmets will be used by elite units of the PNP such as the Special Action Force (SAF).
Also delivered were 21 units of Explosive and Ordnance Division’K9 Patrol Vehicle and 34 units of utility trucks.
Gamboa said the utility trucks will be useful in the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games.
“Before these trucks are dispatched to the regions, they will be used for Southeast Asian Games until December 11,” said Gamboa. (Aaron Recuenco)
