Gov't on track to wiping out deficit in guns, equipment for police

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III said today that the government is on track to eliminating the shortfall in guns, ammunition, and equipment for policemen and jail guards.

In his speech during the 35th Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Commencement exercises, Aquino said the government has so far spent P2 billion ($44 million) purchase guns, patrol jeeps, assault rifles, and mobile radios.

He said the government has acquired 74,879 Glock 17 pistols for policemen and that the procurement of 882 units of patrol jeeps, 17,680 units of assault rifle and 5,000 units of mobile radios is ongoing.

"Soon, (the Philippines) will achieve a 1:1 police-to-pistol ratio. Also, a proposal to strengthen the capability of government arsenal to create small arms ammunition has already been approved," Aquino said.

For jail guards, he said the government has already bought 4, 888 units of 9-mm pistols. The government said it will soon wipe out the 41-percent shortfall in pistols for jail guards in the coming months.

In 2012, the Philippine National Police said that one-third of the country's 140,000 policemen do not have government-issued firearms.