27 PNP men face probe over helicopter deal

MANILA, Philippines - At least 27 police personnel will be investigated in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of three helicopters for P104.9 million, two of which were five years old and previously owned.

Director Arturo Cacdac Jr., chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) that investigated the deal, said those involved are seven members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)/Negotiation Committee, four members of the Inspection and Acceptance Committee, and 16 from the Technical Inspection Team.

Cacdac refused to name the personnel, saying investigation and filing of criminal charges would be done by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“There is going to be an in-depth investigation conducted by CIDG, so that they can gather additional evidence to come up with the filing of charges. The CIDG will determine who will be liable,” he said during a briefing yesterday afternoon at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Asked if former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa could be held liable, Cacdac gave no categorical answer.

The DIDM chief said the CIDG and Internal Affairs Office would have to conduct further investigation for the testimonial evidence, getting the affidavits of certain individuals to support documents that are available.

He also revealed that the RP4250 flight light log recorded the names of passengers as “Cong. Mikey and aides” in the flight RP4250 last Oct. 5, 2007. The flight was from Lubao in Pampanga to A3 extension.

The DIDM said the fact-finding team gathered that two of the three light operational police helicopters were not brand new when procured and accepted on Nov. 11, 2009.

Cacdac noted that the flight log report indicated that Robinson R44 Raven 1 RP-4357 recorded 536.3 hours while Robinson R44 Raven RP-4250 recorded 498.9 hours of flying time before the purchase.

“It was also found that there was a failure to determine the eligibility of the supplier,” he said, pointing out that during the entire procurement process there was no observer from any duly recognized private group.

Cacdac added that Larry de Vera, president and managing head of Manila Aerospace Products Trading (MAPTRA), will also be investigated by the CIDG for fraudulent act and violation of supply contract or estafa.

He said that at the time of procurement, the PNP’s BAC was headed by Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano, who retired in July last year.

Soriano, for his part, clarified that although he was the head of BAC, the procurement of the three helicopters was “negotiated” after three failed biddings and was headed by a different official.

“Under Republic Act 9184, after two failed biddings the procurement will be done through negotiated process. I was not the head of the negotiated deal,” Soriano told The STAR.

Just the same, he said he is ready to cooperate with any investigation body to shed light on the matter.

Cacdac said the DIDM would furnish senators Panfilo Lacson, Teofisto Guingona III, and Gregorio Honasan copies of their report, which could help in the Senate probe.

Lacson made the exposé and claimed that the family of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo owned two of the choppers, but the DIDM probe did not tackle the matter of ownership.

Cacdac said the records showed that the aircraft were previously owned by Asian Spirit and leased to Lion Air, from where MAPTRA acquired them.