Senate sets probe on police procurement

The Senate is set to conduct an inquiry into the Philippine National Police (PNP) procurement process following reports of irregularities, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

This came after the Commission on Audit (COA) reported on the failed delivery of P1.347 billion worth of mobility and combat equipment and the acquisition of P1.89-billion Mahindra police patrol vehicles.

It also directed the PNP to demand the immediate delivery of mobility and combat assets, including grenade launchers and ponchos, worth P1.347 billion procured by the Aquino administration through the state-owned Philippine International Trading Corp.

“I expressed serious concerns in 2014 about the way the terms of reference for the PNP patrol jeeps bidding were crafted that apparently were tailored-fit for Mahindra, effectively eliminating all the other more known brands with track record and countrywide presence as far as service centers are concerned from competing,” Poe said, referring to her time as chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs during the 16th Congress.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito lamented the apparent misuse of billions in taxpayers’ money by former PNP officials.

He said with the government’s meager resources, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines “should acquire vehicles and equipment that are durable and reliable.”

“We cannot afford to waste public funds on vehicles and equipment that are not reliable or we’re just throwing away money,” Ejercito said.

The COA earlier flagged the PNP’s purchase of over 2,000 units of Mahinda Enforcer and Scorpion vehicles from India in 2015, saying the agency’s officials made changes in the specifications that resulted in “frequent breakdowns, poor after sales services and limited availability of spare parts.”

PNP Director for Logistics Jovic Ramos said the police are now conducting regular audit on the patrol vehicles and other equipment to determine whether they are still serviceable and to guide the PNP leadership on where equipment is needed.

“We get reports from the field on its maintenance and roadworthiness from every quarter and all these information were taken into consideration in future procurement and action,” Ramos said.

He said the 2015 procurement of vehicles was done by the Department of Budget and Management and delivered the following year.