PNP acquires P3 billion worth of equipment

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Monday led the blessing ceremony and presentation of the more than P3 billion worth of newly-procured equipment as part of the police's capability enhancement program.

LOOK: PNP OIC officer-in-charge Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa leads the presentation of the newly-procured police equipment @gmanews pic.twitter.com/bSMOQxjJlC

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) November 18, 2019

According to Police Major General Jose Ma. Victor Reyes, chairman of the NHQ Bids and Awards Committee, the new assets acquired amounted to P3,030,928,724.01, which aims to enhance the firepower, mobility, and tactical capabilities of the PNP operating units.

The newly-procured equipment include one unit of Bell 429 helicopter; two units of Airbus H125 helicopter; two units of R44 training helicopter; 21 units of K9 patrol vehicle; 34 units of brand new utility truck; 2,001 units of Taurus 9mm striker fired pistol; 6,353 units of Tisas 9mm striker fired pistol; 10,000 units of Canik 9mm striker fired pistol; 21,992 units of Galil 5.56mm of basic assault rifle; 1,677 units K2C1 5.56mm basic assault rifle; 205 units K3 5.56mm light machine gun; eight units of NEGEV5 5.56mm light machine gun; 141 units of NEGEV7 7.62mm light machine gun; 51 units of Rotary Blade/Propelled Wing UAV; and 7,924 units of enhanced combat helmet level III.

Gamboa said the new assets would help them in their mandate to ensure peace and order in the community.

Helmets

Gamboa underscored that the helmets would help in ensuring the protection of policemen during their conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations, adding that there is really a need to enhance their protective gears.

"In the past there were a lot of casualties na involved sa PNP na puro ulo ang tama because we didn't have the required protective gear," Gamboa told reporters.

"Maiwasan na natin yung tama sa ulo kasi syempre kapag tama sa ulo it's very fatal. I am witness nung binisita namin yung mga casualties sa drug war na mga ulo ang tama and they end up as vegetables," he added.

Gamboa also said some of the acquired vehicles would be used for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which will start from November 30 to December 11.

"Before we dispatch it to the regions, it will first be used by the SEA Games until December 11 and of course nandiyan naman 'yung ating mga helicopters, five na yan ngayon," Gamboa said.

Meanwhile, the two R44 training helicopters, delivered by the Lion Air Inc., will be utilized to train police pilots in anticipation of more procurement of air assets in the future, according to Gamboa.

Moreover, the assault rifles, machine guns and helmets will be used by the elite units of the police such as the Special Action Force. — RSJ/KG, GMA News