ACTING PNP chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said the police force is acquiring over 17,000 rifles worth P712.9 million from an Israeli arms manufacturer for the use of policemen assigned to elite units.
Gamboa signed on December 11 the implementing arrangement for the procurement of 17,048 rifles with the Israeli Weapons Industries, which the PNP described as a “one of the leading arms manufacturers in the world.”
Gamboa said the acquisition of the basic assault rifle will be done through a government-to-government dead. Each rifle costs P41,820, much lower than the price of rifles acquired through public bidding.
Gamboa was involved in the initial acquisition process when he was head of the PNP’s National Bids and Awards Committee.
“The procurement through G2G was no easy undertaking. We initiated this undertaking,” said Gamboa, adding the deal was coordinated with the Department of National Defense which has a memorandum of understanding with the Israel’s ministry of defense on the procurement of weapons.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the acquisition of the rifles gives a boost to the capability of policemen to protect the people.
“The weaponry of the PNP is even made more superior and standardize through G2G as part of the continuing effort of the PNP leadership and the national government to enhance the firepower, mobility, and tactical capabilities of PNP operating units to serve and protect the Filipino people,” said Banac.
Banac said the rifles will be for elite units, including the Special Weapons and Tactics.
“This will be distributed to all security forces, SWAT units so they can use it to address threats to security…..These are for elite forces only, special units, mobile companies for rapid deployment. They will be the ones using these (rifles),” said Banac.
