BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Troopers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 and mobile force companies of provincial police offices in Western Visayas will soon have brand new firearms and equipment, for use in internal security operations and anti-criminality campaigns.
In a statement issued by the PNP Public Information Office, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin disclosed that new firearms are up for issuance to PNP recruits, PNPA cadets, PNP Maritime Group and Regional Mobile battalions and provincial mobile force companies.
The newly procured logistics were sourced from fund allotments of Capability Enhancement Programs (CEPs) 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Congress-Introduced Initiative Appropriation FY 2021, and Trust Receipt 2018 worth P969,904,051.40.
These include 8,500 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles, 10 units 4×2 Patrol Jeep, 36 units 4×4 Personnel Carrier, 8,358 units 9mm Striker Pistols, 34 units 7.62mm Light Machine Gun, 4,900 units 5.56mm BAR, 884 units Tablet Computer and 2,005 units Enhanced Combat Helmets.
“As we continue to mobilize our police units through operational plans, strategic measures and other crime prevention and solution initiatives, I would like to note that it is also important to continuously upgrade our equipment to further strengthen our anti-criminality campaign and other field operation strategies against illegal drugs, criminality, insurgency and terrorism,” Azurin said.
By boosting the PNP operational readiness, through its logistical needs, Azurin said it will immensely improve every PNP unit’s performance in securing peace and order in the country.*
