PNP to buy P3.5-B rifles, jeeps

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to purchase 27,000 M4 rifles and 2,000 patrol jeeps, an official said yesterday.

Director Juanito Vaño, PNP deputy chief for logistics, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas and PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima issued orders to strictly follow the government procurement law.

He said Purisima does not “want these equipment to end up only as evidence in court. We are making sure the process is right.”

Vaño said they will buy 5.56mm M4 rifles with 14.5-inch barrels for a contract price of P1.62 billion and the patrol jeeps for P1.8 billion.

In a related development, Vaño said the PNP has started the construction and upgrading of city and municipal police stations and provincial police officers as part of its development projects.