MANILA, Philippines - While the controversy over the procurement of second-hand helicopters has yet to be resolved, another anomalous deal was unearthed in the Philippine National Police (PNP)—this time regarding the acquisition of rubber boats and motor engines.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has ordered the filing of charges against active and retired police officials involved in the anomalous procurement in February 2010 of P131 million worth of rubber boats and outboard motor engines.
“Former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa, the members of the PNP Bids and Awards Committee (PNP-BAC) and others involved in the acquisition of defective and deficient rubber boats and outboard motors could be held liable for this irregular and anomalous transaction,” Robredo said in a press conference held at the DILG main office in Quezon City.
Robredo said the people behind the questionable procurement of rubber boats could also be in-charge of the purchase of two second-hand helicopters. They are Chief Superintendent George Piano, Senior Superintendents Luis Saligumba and Nolan Antonio and Superintendent Edgar Paatan.
Robredo ordered PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to conduct an investigation on the circumstances that led to the purchase of what could be the “most overpriced and unusable” police rubber boats and outboard motor engines.
Authorities pushed for the procurement of rubber boats late 2009 after storm “Ondoy,” which left many parts of Metro Manila submerged in floodwater.
Robredo noted 41 of the rubber boats were made in France, 24 came from Korea, and a third supplier was Costa Rica, and that some were recreational boats.
Robredo said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued guidelines for the procurement but the PNP-BAC junked the order and justified the negotiated/emergency procurement because of Ondoy.
The PNP-BAC issued a resolution awarding and splitting the contract to three suppliers–Enviro-Aire Inc., Geneve SA Phils. Inc. and Bay Industrial Philippines.
Robredo said Geneve delivered 41 units of the rubber boats worth P47.7 million, 24 units from the joint venture between Stoneworks Specialist International Corp. and Enviro-aire cost P27.9 million and 10 units from Bay Industrial Phils. was worth P11.6 million. Enviro-Aire cornered the delivery of the 93 outboard motors worth P44.1 million.
“All the delivered rubber boats from the three suppliers were similarly priced at P1.165 million each while the outboard motors were priced at P475,000 each,” Robredo noted.
The DILG chief however said the PNP Maritime Group Technical Inspection Committee on Watercrafts found out numerous defects and deficiencies in the acquisition.
“To make it short, the rubber boat and its outboard motor were not compatible and won’t fit for each other. The Napolcom standard specification calls for a 40 horsepower outboard motors but those delivered were 60 horsepower,” Robredo added.
Robredo also pointed out that that more than P1 million freight cost for the distribution of the rubber boats were not included in the contracts.
“The rubber boats can be used only with the paddle thereby defeating its intended purpose,” Robredo said, adding that officials of the Maritime Group requested Bacalzo to suspend the use of rubber boats as it would be risky.
Verzosa, in a text message sent by his lawyer Benjie de los Santos, meanwhile said he welcomes any investigation.
“Procurements and procedures are in place in the PNP bidding processes. Complete staff action is undertaken before it reaches me for approval and have no knowledge or information of any irregularities or violation of the procurement law,” the text message said.
“The PNP chief (Verzosa) is not expected to go through the details as head of bureau. Unless it is shown that he has prior knowledge of wrongdoing of his subordinates,” it added.