PNP earmarks P334 M for body cameras

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking to procure P334-million worth of body-worn cameras (BWC) this year to aid them in their campaign against illegal drugs.

Under the instruction of PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Head of the PNP Directorate for Logistics Police Director Jose Victor Ramos has already fast-tracked the procurement process.

Although the PNP targets to equip the local Drug Enforcement Units with the body-worn cameras within the year, General Dela Rosa clarified that the procurement of the BWCs was not among the priorities in the 2017 Annual Procurement Plan.

The procurement priorities last year were in support of anti-criminality and anti-terrorism operations, which are mostly mission-essential equipment.

Among them are the newly procured equipment under the Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) 2017. The new PNP equipment were also presented at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Grandstand at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City on Thursday, which is led by the PNP Chief himself.

The procured items are mostly composed of new vehicles, firearms such as assault rifles and submachine guns, communication devices, other equipment like night vision goggles and anti-riot shields, and even explosives detector dogs.

48 more K9 units were added to enhance target-hardening efforts amid threats posed by foreign-inspired local terrorist movements according to Dela Rosa. The police dogs are now undergoing training at the PNP kennel in Alfonso, Cavite.

The dogs have a life expectancy of up to 15 years. They are part of the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Group (EOD-K9) and provide crucial support to PNP operations.

The PNP now has 208 K9 units in total.

via Manila Bulletin / Francis Wakefield