The Philippine National Police has acquired more helicopters and other equipment worth some P2.88 billion to further boost its firepower and mobility assets.
During the presentation of the newly-procured assets at the PNP Grandstand in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP chief, Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said the acquisition is part of the modernization of the country’s police force.
Topping the list of the new assets are two single-engine turbine helicopters worth P225 million.
The police force now has a total of seven helicopters, two of which will be sent to the Visayas and Mindanao, and the remaining will be used at the national headquarters.
Gamboa said he is eyeing for the purchase of three more helicopters before his term ends.
“We have seven as of now. Hopefully, before I retire, the last three will be coming up so we will leave the PNP with 10 [helicopters],” he said in an interview with reporters.
Other newly-acquired assets include 37 units of medium troop carriers—worth P3.1 million each—and 12 pickups worth P1.6 million each.
The trucks would be utilized by the Special Action Force, Gamboa said.
Also procured were 501 units of combat helmets worth P32 million; firearms such as light machine gun, basic assault rifle, pistol, and magazines; and bomb equipment such as explosive ordnance division robot, undershirt vest, night vision goggles, ballistic eyewear, handheld radio, among others.
Gamboa said all equipment went under strict testing to see if all the parameters were complied with.
He also assured that all equipment underwent “open competitive bidding” as well as “rigorous testing.”
“There is assurance of complete inspection and acceptance. Dapat sumusunod sa parameters during acceptance process to see to it na may compliance sa standards (The equipment should abide by the parameters during acceptance process to see to it that there is compliance with standards),” he said.
Gamboa said the newly acquired equipment would be used for the campaign against terrorism, illegal drugs and criminality.
On the other hand, PNP assured that the procurement of body cameras would be realized soon as its systems are now under being tested.
A total of over 2,800 units of body cameras would be procured after the testing.