PR
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) defended the purchase of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of helicopters and other modern equipment to improve and upgrade its operational capabilities.
DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya says that the purchase of PNP choppers and other modern equipment was for improved service delivery and to modernize its capabilities.
“This is not a luxury purchase but a needed acquisition for the PNP. In fact, it’s long overdue. The use of PNP helicopters and other equipment recently acquired by the police organization is to aid in augmenting its operational capacity. Ito po ay bahagi ng modernisasyon ng ating kapulisan,” he says.
“Lahat po ng modernong kapulisan sa buong mundo ay mayroong chooper. Hindi naman po bibilihin ito ng ating pamahalaan kung ito po ay hindi makatutulong at kinakailangan para sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan,” he adds.
The PNP has recently purchased more helicopters and other equipment such as 37 units of medium troop carriers and 12 pickup vehicles, among others, amounting to a total of P2.88-billion to further boost its firepower and mobility assets.
He says that the bell helicopter that accidentally crashed in Laguna was a command chopper used by PNP senior officials for administrative and command purposes. “As a command chopper, its purpose is for mobility of the Chief, PNP and other star-officers of the PNP to enable them to attend to their official functions faster and more efficiently,” he says.
He says that the Armed Forces of the Philippines also have command choppers to enable senior officials to go to far-flung areas faster and more efficiently. “It’s the same with the PNP, the purchase of the chopper will allow them to personally visit PNP units nationwide and attend official functions,” he says.
Malaya explains that the said purchase and usage of the choppers saves time and allows PNP officials to fulfill more tasks given the heavy workload that the police organization and its officials do on a daily basis.
The purchase of the choppers was also approved by Congress and by the President and underwent open competitive biddings and careful testing. “Ito po ay tugon sa matagal ng hinaing din ng ating mga kababayan sa mas modernong PNP. This will only lead to better law enforcement para sa mas mabuting paglilingkod sa mga mamamayan,” he adds.
Also procured were 501 units of combat helmets worth PHP32 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.
