PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas. (File photo)
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, said Wednesday the police force has signed several contracts with the Israeli government on the procurement of security and defense equipment.
"The PNP has recently made history as several contracts for the procurement of security and defense equipment through government-to-government (G2G) transaction were inked in partnership with the State of Israel headed by (retired) Brig. Gen. Yair Kulas, director of IMOD-SIBAT, Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel," Sinas said in a statement.
These signed procurement contracts are for the supply and delivery of 13,457 units of 5.56mm basic assault rifle from Israeli weapons manufacturer Emtan Karmiel; 20 units of 7.62mm light machine gun from the Israeli Weapons Industries; and intelligence component for the PNP Secure, Mobile, Artificial Intelligence-Driven, Real-Time (SMART) policing program.
Sinas said the G2G mode of acquisition was based on Section 4.2 of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act (RA) 9184, which the PNP took advantage of as it has saved up to PHP107.7 million worth of government funds.
Under the contract, the PNP has closed the procurement deal for 5.56mm basic assault rifles of the same superior quality of rifles from previous procurements for only PHP35,280 per unit, much lower than the price obtained through public bidding from 2017 to 2019 ranging from PHP42,000 to PHP87,000 per unit.
“We have pledged to the President that the PNP will not allow corruption under my leadership. We will be transparent with our transactions and will use our taxpayers' money wisely," Sinas said.
He added that the signing of the contract manifests the PNP's commitment to further boost the capability of its personnel while working with Israel, which is a "world-renowned country producer of high-quality firearms and other defense equipment."
The huge amount saved for the government is the PNP's share for best practices under RA 9184 on the procurement of specified qualities of firepower equipment acquired under the mission-essential tools, assets, and resources. (PNA)
