THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has further boosted its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities by acquiring P1.48 billion worth of brand-new equipment, the Journal Group learned Friday.

PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. led the unveiling of the equipment which is part of PNP’s continuing effort to further modernize the security and service to the Filipino people.

The PNP’s latest acquisition include 44 marked Light Transport Vehicles, 120 4×4 Personnel Carriers, 203 4×2 Patrol Jeep Single Cab, 5,755 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles, 5,809,128 cal. 5.56mm Ball ammunition, 949 Enhanced Combat Helmets, 2,825 All-Purpose Undershirt Vests (Undershirt) and 959 All-Purpose Tactical Vests.

PNP Directorate for Logistics chief Major Gen. Mario A. Reyes supervised the procurement. The PNP chief cited Reyes for their latest feat to further improve their anti-criminality campaign.

The procurement of these essential assets, valued at P1,481,342,545.45, was successfully managed by the Bids and Awards Committee and funded through the Capability Enhancement Programs (CEPs) of 2022 and 2023, said Acorda.

The PNP earlier cited the major role that will be played by Congress in ensuring the PNP will be truly ‘world-class’ in solving crimes and fighting corruption under the Marcos administration.

House Speaker Ferdinand ‘Martin’ R. Romualdez Jr. agreed the police force must be fully-equipped to carry out their law enforcement functions to keep the streets safe while the majority of Filipinos are asleep in their homes.

Speaker Romualdez has committed the solid support of the House of Representatives for an intensified anti-criminality campaign by the police force under Acorda and the Department of Interior and Local Government headed by Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr.

The Leyte representative and other Congress leaders have expressed their openness to provide the force with adequate funding support and other resources as well as new legislations if necessary to buttress the war against crime.

The PNP has sought the help of the House of Representatives and the Senate in approving the Revitalization and Capability Enhancement of the PNP Modernization Bill this year.

The PNP said it is pushing for the ‘revitalization and capability enhancement of the PNP’ through the acquisition and upgrading of their basic equipment, re-fleeting, modern equipment as well as infrastructure and facilities development.

The program would cost the government P128 billion in the next 10 years but would mean a 100 percent fill-up of basic PNP equipment and infrastructures.

Early this year, the PNP also unveiled over P1.239 billion worth of brand-new police weapons and other equipment.

The weapons and vehicles, with a total contract price of P1,239,586,796, were sourced under the PNP Capability Enhancement Programs (CEPs) 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The equipment include 200 4×2 patrol jeeps from Toyota Otis, Inc. and 326 150cc light motorcycles which have been distributed to the different municipal police stations; 2 High-Speed Tactical Watercrafts which will be used by the PNP Maritime Group; and 10 utility trucks which will be used by the PNP Logistics Support Service.

Also procured for use of PNP stations and other units nationwide were 4,033 caliber 5.56mm Galil Assault Rifles; 9,544 cal. 9mm Striker-Fired ‘Taurus’ semi-automatic pistols; 5,458 Digital Hand-held Radios; and 221 Low Band Hand-Held Radios.

Acorda emphasized the importance of these procurements, not just as items on a list but as a testament to the PNP’s commitment to strengthen the capabilities of the police force.

Acorda also extended the gratitude of the PNP to the national government for their continued support in the modernization efforts of the police force.

The PNP chief at the same time stressed the responsibility of every PNP personnel to use these resources judiciously, responsibly and with regards to the highest standards of professionalism.