MOVING forward to further improve its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities to serve the public, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already acquired nearly P1.8 billion worth of brand-new equipment since General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. was named by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. as his 1st PNP chief last August, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

Last week, Gen. Azurin led the blessing and presentation of nearly P762 million worth of newly-procured police vehicles and weapons amid their continuing modernization program.

The various equipment worth P761,219,682 were successfully procured by the PNP National Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee chaired by PNP Director for Logistics, Major Gen. Ronaldo E. Olay, the Journal Group learned.

Gen. Azurin said the newly-procured police equipment were sourced under the PNP’s Capability Enhancement Programs 2019, 2021 and 2022. Maj. Gen. Olay and PNP Director for Comptrollership, Maj. Gen. Jesus D. Cambay Jr. supervised the transparent bidding for the firearms and vehicles.

The new police equipment include 130 units of 4×4 Personnel Carries which will be distributed to different Police Mobile Forces and Municipal Stations with mountainous terrain and 44 units of Advance Life Support Ambulance which will be used by the PNP Health Service. Toyota Otis, Inc. supplied the vehicles.

A total of 1,464 All-Purpose Vest (Tactical Vest Level III-A with 2 Upgrade Plates Level 4 supplied by AHoldtech PH Corporation and Jiangsu Zhongyi Special Fiber Co. Ltd. will be distributed to ‘high-risk’ police stations in different police regional offices nationwide.

The tactical vests will come in handy for policemen serving warrants of arrest and conducting other anti-criminality law enforcement operations and risking their lives while confronting armed and dangerous criminals.

Gen. Azurin said that the R. Espinelli Trading also supplied 212 units of caliber 5.56 Negev Light Machine Guns and 8,001 units of 9mm Arex Delta Striker Fired pistols.

The machine guns will be used by the different regional mobile forces tasked to go after communist terrorists and other lawless elements in Mindanao and other parts of Luzon and Visayas regions while the pistols will be for PNP-wide use.

Maj. Gen. Olay said that the PNP vehicles and All-Purpose Vests are all ready for distribution while the firearms will undergo ballistics examination prior to their distribution.

Last August, Gen. Azurin also presented to the public the P969 million worth of brand-new police equipment which include motor vehicles, weapons, and other equipment to further enhance their operational readiness and capability.

“As we continue to mobilize our police units through operational plans, strategic measures, and other crime prevention and solution initiatives, I would like to note that it is also important to continuously upgrade our equipment to further strengthen our anti-criminality campaign and other field operation strategies against illegal drugs, criminality, insurgency, and terrorism,” Azurin.

The top cop explained that the newly-procured logistics in August were sourced from fund allotments under their CEPs 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Congress-Introduced Initiative Appropriation Fiscal Year 2021, and Trust Receipt 2018 worth P969,904,051.40.

The equipment included 10 units of 4×2 patrol jeeps, 36 units of 4×4 personnel carriers, 8,358 units of 9mm Striker Fired Pistol, 8,500 units of caliber 5.56mm basic assault rifle, 34 units of 7.62mm light machine guns, 4,900 units of 5.56mm basic assault rifle, 884 units of tablet computer, and 2,005 units of an enhanced combat helmet.

Gen. Azurin said that by boosting the national police force’s operational readiness, they will be fully able to immensely improve the performance of all their units across the country, particularly in keeping peace and order.

“Ang mga sasakyan at kagamitang ito ay napakalaking tulong sa ating mga police station upang mas lalo pa silang maging epektibo sa pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin para sa mas maayos at mabilis na paghahatid ng serbisyo at pangangailangang pangseguridad ng ating mga kababayan,” he explained.

The top cop has assured the public that more ‘world-class move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ equipment for the 226,000-strong police force are coming amid their effort to provide quality service.

They include top-of-the-line protective equipment for members of the force engaged in tactical operations specifically members of the PNP Special Action Force, Drug Enforcement Group, Anti-Kidnapping Group, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and beat patrollers who always face the prospect of being confronted by heavily-armed and merciless criminals every day.

“We deeply appreciate the outlay for mission-essential equipment that is earmarked for the PNP this year to 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 PNP chief also underscored that security and welfare of the people does not only depend on the number of police officers in the field but also with their efficiency and effectiveness armed with what is needed.

“As we mobilize the police units in the field, we must also increase the effectiveness of our police officers by giving them the necessary equipment,” he said.

The PNP chief however reminded and encouraged all police units and offices, being the recipients of all the procured equipment of PNP, to use them properly and take good care of them as these were procured from the people’s taxes.

“This is part of the ‘Malasakit program’ under MKK=K which aspires to address the external and internal issues of the organization. Every police officer must take into mind and in action our sworn duty to serve and protect our community, and this is one way of showing we care; by taking care of our equipment,” he said.

The PNP leadership also said they are procuring additional high-quality body armors and combat helmets needed not only to protect police officers and men tasked to go after criminal and terror rings in the country but also those who are manning checkpoints to arrest the presence of deadly loose weapons and explosives in the highways and streets.