PNP preparing for rifle rebidding

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing to rebid the supply contract for 3,300 assault rifles to meet the needs of police units.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the rebidding for long firearms would be conducted within the year.

“What we will do now is to initiate the rebidding for the long firearm. We need long firearms. We will do it within the last quarter of the year… we will speed up the procedures but we will make sure that the procurement is in accordance with RA (Republic Act) 9184,” Bartolome said.

The PNP earlier scrapped the scheduled bidding for the rifles after President Aquino himself noticed the deal to be overpriced.

Deputy Director General Emelito Sarmiento, BAC chairman, said the PNP Supply Management Division and the Directorate for Logistics were instructed to further study the specifications for the procurement of assault rifles.

Director Arnulfo Perez, chief of the Directorate for Logistics and vice chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee, said the PNP might bid out the combined 1,500 and 1,800 assault rifles with the same budget next month or within the year.