PNP sets aside P10  M for radio station

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to spend P10 million for its initial radio broadcast, with police personnel and officials acting as broadcasters and hosts.

PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. has been closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the plan of the PNP to have a 24-hour radio program to be aired on 117 Khz dial on amplitude modulation (AM) band.

The STAR learned that the project is a brainchild of PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., who was also the man behind the weekly forum Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis every Tuesday morning at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall. The TSIP is aired on NBN-Channel 4 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays.

Pagdilao said the Directorate for Comptrollership will source the P10-million fund from the PNP trust receipts as approved last July 2 by former PNP chief Oscar Calderon.

“That’s (P10 million) the estimate (cost) for equipment, antenna, and its housing in Obando, Bulacan, and the radio station housing the booth, technical and news rooms and office at the PIO area,” Pagdilao said in an earlier interview.

According to Pagdilao, the P10 million will cover the initial operation from the time the PNP asked the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) to allow the operations.

The cost will also cover the renovation of a portion of the PNP-Public Information Office for radio booth, operational materials, antenna, and other equipment.

Through a memorandum of agreement, the PNP acquired the 117 Khz dial from the AFP, which the latter has been using for its program.

The PNP spokesman said the main goal of the PNP in establishing its own radio station was to be able to reach out to, and at the same time get information from, the public.

Pagdilao said the air time given by private radio stations and their reporters was not enough for PNP officials to discuss PNP achievements and programs against all forms of crime – including street crimes, kidnapping for ransom, illegal drugs, hijacking and car thefts.

The PNP also plans to discuss other issues in the PNP radio station, including traffic situation, and actual incidents which need police attention and immediate reactions.

Pagdilao noted that the idea to establish its own radio station was an offshoot of the success of the PNP-Bantay Balota three-day forum conducted by the PNP during the May 14 elections.

The PNP-Bantay Balota gave PNP officials a regular forum with the media and allowed them to give updates of the actual situation nationwide. The PNP also provided the number of election-related violent incidents (ERVIs).

“Other (private TV and radio) stations monitored the program during the elections and we expected the public to listen to us,” he added.

Pagdilao said the PNP has been trying to address the concerns of the organization and its members. “For instance, the shortage of firearms for PNP members has already been addressed. The PNP has 156,000 pieces of guns distributed to 119,000 policemen nationwide.”