PNP bares Php2 billion new gear

By MARTIN SADONGDONG

THE Philippine National Po­lice yesterday presented 25,884 newly procured equipment worth Php2,156,617,850 that would boost the 190,000-strong police force’s operational, intelligence, and administrative functions.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the newly procured equipment presented at the PNP Heritage Park in Camp Crame, Quezon City forms part of the realization of the Ca­pability Enhancement Program and modernization of the PNP for 2016, 2017, and 2018.

“While we have waged our relentless fight against crimi­nality, illegal drugs, terrorism, and transnational crimes, we must also ensure that our basic equipage are also properly ad­dressed and enhanced to equip all PNP units,” Albayalde said.

The PNP chief said 8,170 cali­ber 5.56mm Galil Ace 22N basic assault rifles, 4,933 5.56mm Emtan assault rifles, 231 7.65mm Negev light machine guns, and 320 5.56mm Negev light ma­chine guns – made from Israel – will be given to provincial mo­bile force companies to enhance their firepower.

On the other hand, 1,920 Tur­key-made Canik TP9SF Elite-S caliber 9mm pistols will be dis­tributed to the PNP Special Ac­tion Force while 10,000 will be given to the newly recruited cops.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group and Police Security and Protec­tion Group will get 310 brand new 650cc Kawasaki Versys mo­torcycle to enhance their mobil­ity and response capabilities.

“These basic equipage, fire­arms, and motorcycles shall in­tensify the operational readiness and police visibility of our per­sonnel,” Albayalde noted.