PNP: P1.2-billion firearms deal transparent

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday that there was transparency in their P1.198 billion worth firearm procurement.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said procedures in procuring 59,904 firearms were strictly followed by the PNP, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in coordination with the technical working group (TWG).

“We observed the utmost transparency starting from the bidding itself up to endurance test and magnaflux test,” Cerbo said in an interview over radio dzBB.

Cerbo noted that the PNP is open to any investigation following reports that some members of the House of Representatives are poised to investigate complaints that the 9mm Glock 17 Generation 4 malfunctioned during the endurance test. 

However, he said the issue raised on the endurance test against Glock could be coming from losing bidders who could not accept the result of the bidding.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, TWG head, said only nine minor defects were noted during the endurance test and under the procedure, the gun samples must have at least 15 minor defects to have one major defect.

Fajardo said there was an instance of magazine underload and also an incident of shooter fatigue.

He echoed Cerbo’s statement, saying that the Glocks passed the PNP requirement.

Joy Gutierrez-Jose, director of Trust trade that supplied the Glock, said there were parameters observed with the gun, including inter-changeability, drop and safety test.

The Trust trade was the lowest second bidder after R. Espenelli, the lowest bidder was disqualified over documentation.

Jose clarified the issue on the Glock, which reportedly overheated during the endurance test.

She pointed out that the endurance test underwent by Glock was 20,000 rounds.

“If you were firing hundreds or thousands definitely the gun would heat up. That’s true for all guns not only Glock,” Jose said.

She added that 65 percent of law enforcement agencies worldwide, from Belgium, Germany, Denmark and other first world countries are using Glock.

She explained that Glock has minimal chance to develop rust since the handle is polymer while the slide and barrel are tenifer finish, suitable to the humid Philippine climate.