THE PNP has acquired P761.21 million worth of vehicles, vests and firearms, boosting policemen’s capability in law enforcement and crime prevention.
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. led the blessing of the newly-acquired assets at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.
They were acquired by the PNP Bids and Awards Committee using appropriations for the PNP Capability Enhancement Programs for 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Making up the latest acquisitions were 130 personnel carriers, 41 advance life support ambulances, 1,464 all-purpose vests, 212 5.56 mm light machine guns, and 8,001 9mm pistols.
The 4×4 personnel carriers will be given to provincial mobile force companies and police stations in mountainous terrains while the ambulances will be assigned to the PNP Health Service.
The vests will be given to police stations that are considered “high risk.”
The light machine guns will be distributed to regional mobile force units while the 9mm pistols will be given to policemen throughout the country.
Azurin said the newly-acquired assets will “further boost the mobility and firepower capabilities of every PNP unit from the regional offices down to municipal police stations and precincts.”
He said the acquisition of these equipment was an “expression of the (Marcos) administration’s responsiveness to the needs of the PNP and recognition of the sacrifices of our policemen especially those serving in the frontline.”
He said these assets are needed to “increase the effectiveness of our police officers” in maintaining peace and order.
“I always believe that the deployment of well-equipped police officers is indeed the key to crime prevention,” said Azurin.
Azurin urged policemen to take care of the equipment and use them properly, adding they should always remember that these were procured using public funds.
