The Philippine National Police has acquired about P1.871-billion worth of newly procured helicopters, patrol vehicles, firearms, and other equipment to boost its capabilities.
These new equipment were presented at the National Capital Region Police Office headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City yesterday.
Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, personally witnessed the turnover of 23,800 units of equipment which were bought under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program from 2014 to 2018.
The newly procured equipment were a single-engine Airbus H125 helicopter; 107 4×2 single cab patrol jeepney; 349 125cc motorcycles; 9,000 striker-fired 9mm pistol; 42 7.62mm MG3 light machine gun; 3,045 waist coast vest level 3A with upgrade plate level IV; 11,084 enhanced combat helmets; 124 tactical radios; and 48 explosive detection dogs.
Albayalde said the equipment are expected to “enhance the firepower, mobility, communications, and investigative capabilities of PNP operating units.”
According to Albayalde, the multi-role helicopter will be given to the PNP Special Action Force “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 will be delivered in 2020.
Albayalde said President Duterte wants all of the police regional offices to have at least one helicopter, a dream which the country’s top cop has for the PNP.
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 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 targeted to be delivered to the recipients within the week to enable policemen to be more equipped in the May 13 midterm polls. (Martin A. Sadongdong)