Foundation donates P5.7-M equipment to PNP lab

In a bid to improve police services, a foundation has donated P5.7 million worth of vehicles and equipment to the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao received the donation the other day from Tarlac Rep. Gilberto Teodoro, who is the chairman of the PNP Foundation Inc. and PNPFI executive director Ricardo Crisostomo. Lomibao said the donation consists of three Isuzu Crosswind vans, 75 computer sets with printers, 62 scanners, 37 facsimile machines and a laser printer.

Chief Superintendent Ernesto Belen, crime laboratory director, said the donated vehicles will be converted into mini Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) vans while the equipment will be used by regional, district and provincial offices and technical divisions.

There are 41 police crime laboratories all over the country. The equipment will be distributed to those that need them most.

"With the donated vehicles and equipment, the forensic services being performed by our office in assisting police units in the field in the conduct of investigations can be enhanced and speedily attended to," Belen said.

He said they are also working with the office of Ilocos Norte Rep. Roquito Ablan, chairman of the House committee on illegal drugs for the acquisition of GCMS machines for confirmatory drug testing.

The PNPFI was formed and organized in 2000 to primarily assist the PNP through donations of logistical equipment needed in the performance of law enforcement functions. – Non Alquitran