PNP boosts capability with donations from friends, supporters
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Rommel Francisco Marbil got a boost in its ‘move and investigate’ capabilities, thanks to donations from its friends and other supporters.
The PNP Foundation, Inc. (PNPFI), led by former senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, formally turned over more than P11 million worth of brand-new office and police equipment to Gen. Marbil.
For the first quarter of 2024-2025, the PNPFI donated equipment worth nearly P6 million which included 135 desktop computers, 45 printers with scanners, 28 public address systems, 24 projectors, 4 CCTV systems, 79 mountain bikes and volleyball shoes and other gears.
For the second quarter, the foundation donated P5.052 million worth of equipment including 66 desktop computers, 30 printers with scanner, 15 PA systems, 13 projectors, 5 CCTV systems, 47 mountain bikes and 45 bullet-proof vests which went to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Roel C. Rodolfo. Gen. Marbil thanked the PNPFI for their latest effort to help the police force.
Lacson said that it was in 2000 when some civic-minded private citizens, bankers, finance managers and anti-crime advocates conceived of forming and actually putting up the PNP Foundation.
“The PNPFI tapped generous donors to provide the seed money designed to be held in perpetuity, utilizing only the interest earnings to provide equipment and logistical support to its one and only beneficiary or recipient of donations – the PNP,” Lacson said.
“And today is one of those many occasions that your foundation has given out albeit in our own small and humble way some equipment, supplies to a number of PNP units.
As we the members of the Board of Trustees look at each other during our board meetings and other related activities, we cannot help but notice that nobody among us is getting any younger, which is actually an euphemism for getting old,” he explained.
On Friday, the PNP also received a three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning and mapping equipment procured by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in partnership with the Japanese government.
The PNP Forensic Group headed by Brig. Gen. Benjamin DL Sembrano said the equipment will enhance their efficiency in solving crimes.
“This 3D scanner will revolutionize our crime scene investigation process by providing precise 3D documentation and reconstruction of the complex crime scenes,” Sembrano said.
Worth at least P2.8 million, equipment is expected to improve the ability of police investigators in documenting and reconstructing complex crime scenes by capturing accurate and detailed images crucial for investigation and legal proceedings.
The PNP thanked the UNODC and the Japanese government for their steadfast support and generous donation to further enhance the PNP’s capabilities to address security threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism and high-profile cases which demand immediate investigation.
“Your contribution strengthens our operational and investigation readiness and embodies a profound commitment to the welfare and effectiveness of those who we serve and protect,” Brig. Gen. Sembrano told officials of the UNODC and the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Safety and Security Cooperation Division led by Koichi Warisawa.
The Hyundai Motor Philippines also donated five Hyundai Stargazer 1.5 GLS Premium IVT 6-seater vehicles worth P6.49 million to the national police force.
Gen. Marbil said the donations will enhance the administrative and operational efficiency of PNP personnel across various units inside and outside Camp Crame.
He also thanked the donors led by the PNPFI for their unwavering support in strengthening the PNP’s capabilities to serve the public.
