By Francis T. Wakefield
The Philippine National Police has earmarked P334 million for the procurement of body worn cameras this year for their campaign against drugs.
PNP chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa has instructed the PNP Directorate for Logistics under Director Jose Victor Ramos to fasttrack the procurement process for the body cameras.
Ramos said the PNP expects to equip local drug enforcement units with body cameras by mid-year.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa explained the decision to prioritize the purchase of K-9 dogs worth P26 million over that of body cameras, a move which was questioned by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto.
The PNP chief said that the procurement of body cameras was not among the priorities in their 2017 annual procurement plan.
He said last year’s procurement priorities were in support of anti-criminality and anti-terrorism operations, including mission-essential equipment for mobility, firepower, communications, and investigation, as well as for counter-terrorism.
He explained that the procurement of 48 more K9 units last year was prompted by the need for enhanced target-hardening efforts amid threats posed by foreign-inspired local terrorist movements. The 48 K9 units are now undergoing training at the PNP kennel in Alfonso, Cavite.
The unit cost of P545,000 for each dog is inclusive of training for both canine and handler, with allotted funds for maintenance and other operating expenses.
The life expectancy of these dogs is up to 15 years, according to the K9 handlers.
The PNP has 208 K9 units in its inventory, now providing K9 support to operations of PNP units, primarily the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal-K9 Group.