The Philippine National Police (PNP) is racing against time to procure the P334 million worth of high-definition body cameras which will be used to ensure transparency in the conduct of illegal drugs operations.
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, said that the bidding process for the body cameras must be completed before the end of the year, or they would lose the entire budget.
“We must be able to obligate the money before December 31, otherwise, the fund will go back to the national treasury,” said Gamboa.
The P334 million fund was allocated by Congress in 2017 amid calls for the anti-narcotics policemen to wear body cameras following the execution of Kian delos Santos in Caloocan whom Caloocan police claimed to have engaged them in a gun battle.
Earlier, six bidders have complied for post-qualification bidding process but Gamboa said the lowest bidder was disqualified due to an issue of compliance on documentary requirements.
He said they now checking on the 2nd lowest bidder.
If all the procurement process are complied with this year, Gamboa said they expect the delivery of the body cameras by second or third quarter next year.
Once delivered, Gamboa said that the body cameras would be distributed to anti-narcotics agents.
“But these can also be used in other law enforcement functions like combat operations and even in the conduct of checkpoints,” said Gamboa.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said that the procurement of body cameras would also comply with the request of Vice President Leni Robredo to ensure transparency in the conduct of anti-drugs operations amid the spate of killings during police operations.
Aside from the high standard set by the PNP that resulted in all the eight bidders failing to qualify, the procurement of body cameras was also stalled due to corruption allegation by three police majors who were members of the Technical Working Group of the PNP Bids and Awards Committee.
The three police majors are now facing dismissal after one of the losing bidders squealed that P5 million were given to the three police majors t ensure awarding of the contract. (Aaron Recuenco)
