According to PNP Chief Ricardo Marquez, the procurement of additional air assets is not yet an urgent priority. (UNTV News File Image)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The procurement of additional air assets is not yet a priority for the Philippine National Police even after approval of the PNP Modernization Program.
According to PNP Chief P/Dir. Gen. Ricardo Marquez, only procurement of additional equipment for 2016 is included in the PNP modernization program, which is currently with the technical working group of the lower house.
Marquez clarified that such air assets are essential to the PNP especially during operations of the Special Action Force. However, they are quite expensive so the PNP decided to repair its existing helicopters.
According to Marquez, the PNP currently has four helicopters that can be repaired to be mobilized for small operations such as traffic monitoring on EDSA.
The PNP chief clarified that two of these air assets are still grounded due to an existing complaint filed by some officials in 2010 because of an alleged anomalous procurement deal.
“In the last five years eh hindi sya nagamit. So, may dalawang malaking helicopter dyan, yun din kasama sa ire-repair,” said Marquez.
(They have not been used in the last five years. We have two large helicopters that also need repair.)
Even so, Marquez said they are completing the necessary documents for the repair of the defective air assets.
Just recently, 1116 personnel of the PNP Special Action Force and Regional Public Safety Battalion underwent air to ground operation seminar in coordination with the Philippine Airforce.
They were trained in terms of close-air support, troop insertion and casualty evacuation using the helicopters of the Philippine Air Force in a mock operation against the rebels. (UNTV News)
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