LUCENA CITY, PHILIPPINES – As part of the Philippine modernization program, twenty six Glock 17 Generation 4 were released to the qualified PNP Luzon personnel who passed the firing proficiency test.
At about 2:00 PM of October 23, 2013 at Conference Room, Camp Guillermo Nakar Lucena City, Philippines, PSupt. Hubert Blaquera Tuzon, R4 led along with NUP Asmundo Kamiro Llorin, RSAO initiated the said distribution.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed a bill that would institutionalize the modernization of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and boost its operational capability against terrorism.
Also known as Senate Bill 360, the bill seeks to promote and utilize multi-lateral exchange of information with other police organizations and to improve PNP’s capabilities to deal with terrorist activities and prepare and respond to all types of disaster and national emergencies. The measure also provides for the acquisition and upgrading of modest air transport capabilities for the police force.
“This will necessitate the acquisition of multi-role aircraft to function on public order and safety services such as observation, surveillance evacuation, and detection, among others,” SB 360 reads.
Meanwhile, PSUPT Tuzon said that their personnel, especially Police Officers 1 are very lucky for at the early years of their service they were already given issued firearms.” Tuzon also reminded the “juniors” that, “the issuance/distribution of firearms does not end on receiving the handguns; our responsibility is bigger that it requires deeper sense of responsibility”.
PSSUPT Ylagan, stated that “the PNP modernization program is geared towards upgrading police capability to law enforcement to deter crimes and stop criminality which the community expects greater output in the police service.
Data from the Department of National Defense (DND) showed that P85.29 billion will cover a total of 24 projects in line with the new law.
On related news, National Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said no fund releases will be made for the program this year. However, he is hopeful that the modernization efforts will be realized due to the support from the administration, he added.
The PNP Modernization Program shall be implemented over a period of five years after approval of the law. The interior secretary will administer the program.
