Ghost repair of PNP's armored carriers cost government P400 million

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine National Police (PNP) may have another corruption issue in its hands with the discovery of almost P400 million in expenses for the repair of 28 V-150 armored personnel carriers (APCs).

Documents obtained by The STAR show that the PNP paid P141,995,064 for spare parts and P255,589,000 for repair and maintenance of the APCs.

The cost of the repairs was three times higher than the P104.9 million spent for the purchase of three helicopters, two of which were passed off as brand new.

The cost of repairs is also enough to buy 13 brand new, US-made APCs at P30 million each.

The Senate is investigating the questionable helicopter purchases.

A standard APC is armed only with a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles or mortars. They are designed for greater troop mobility and protection from shrapnel and ambush and not for direct-fire battle. They are with either wheels or tracks.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo last July 12 to investigate the alleged irregularity in the repair of V-150s.

Bacalzo tapped the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to handle the probe. The DIDM has yet to submit its findings and recommendations.

“APC or V-150 vehicle is considered a controlled item and is not usually available in the market. In fact, the PNP’s existing V-150s mostly came from the US,” said a source from the PNP.

The PNP’s APCs were deployed in various points in the country for the use of the Special Action Force (SAF) and the Regional Mobile Groups (RMGs), now called Regional Public Safety Management Battalions.

Of the 28 units, seven are with the SAF headquartered in Bicutan, Taguig; four in Western Mindanao (Region 9); three in Central Mindanao (Region 12); and two units each in Central Luzon, Western Visayas (Region 6), Caraga (Region 13) and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Regional police commands in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Bicol (Region 5), Central Visayas (Region 7), Northern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have one unit each.

The repair of the 28 V-150s was stipulated in the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Resolution 2007-225 signed by then chairman and concurrent DILG head Ronaldo Puno. Concurring with the Napolcom resolution were commissioners Linda Malenab Hornilla, Celia Leones, Miguel Coronel and then PNP chief Oscar Calderon.

“Now, wherefore, it is hereby instructed the PNP chief to direct the director of the PNP Directorate for Logistics to recall all V-150s assigned at the SAF and RMGs whether serviceable or unserviceable for complete worthiness assessment, to cause the immediate rehabilitation and repair of unserviceable units and make them operational within 60 days from the receipt of the combat vehicles and to ensue regular maintenance of all V-150s,” the Napolcom resolution stated.

In justifying the repair, the Napolcom said in its resolution that the PNP is mandated to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines on matters involving internal security, specifically in combat operations, to suppress insurgency and other serious threats to national security.

“There is an imperative to ensure the superiority and combat operational readiness of all these V-150s with the end in view of achieving maximum effectiveness in the implementation of the program on Internal Security Operations as mandated under Executive Order No. 546,” the Napolcom resolution read.

The documents obtained by The STAR indicate that the cost of the repair covered replacement of engines and transmissions of the V-150s.

The documents also listed 274 named items repaired or replaced such as screws, washers, shields, cushions, observer seats, hand lock, mirror, engine door, air system, mufflers, exhausts and exhaust extension.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier exposed the questionable purchase of the PNP helicopters, two of which turned out to be previously owned.

He said evidence point to former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo as the real owner of the helicopters.

The PNP, through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, is also investigating the alleged anomalous procurement of patrol boats and rubber boats for P131 million shortly after typhoon “Ondoy” in September 2009.

Records show a firm called Geneve delivered 41 units of the rubber boats worth P47.7 million, while 24 units came from the joint venture between Stoneworks Specialist International Corp. and Enviro-aire worth P27.9 million. Bay Industrial Philippines provided 10 units worth P11.6 million while Enviro-Aire supplied 93 outboard motors worth P44.1 million.

The CIDG is also investigating the alleged anomalous procurement of patrol coastal craft worth almost P5 million. The contract was for the purchase of gasoline-fed boats but the units delivered run on diesel.