PNP to sell former chief’s gas-guzzling Ford F-150

A slightly used bullet-proof vehicle, anyone?

In line with the government’s energy conservation measures, the Philippine National Police is set to auction the gas-guzzling sport utility vehicle used by former PNP chief Director General Edgar Aglipay.

Aglipay’s successor Director General Arturo Lomibao said yesterday details of the auction would be announced soon for the benefit of interested parties.

The PNP under Aglipay’s term bought the maroon bullet-proof Ford F-150 at about P2 million for his personal use. Aglipay retired last March 13 after the expiration of his six-month extension of office granted by President Arroyo.

The move came after the President issued a call to conserve energy amid the looming energy crisis.

Mrs. Arroyo appointed Lomibao as Aglipay’s replacement on March 14.

After the luxury bullet-proof vehicle has been auctioned off to the highest bidder, the PNP chief said the proceeds would be used to buy at least three ordinary utility vehicles to be distributed to police stations.

Lomibao is now using a less expensive car as his official vehicle with only one Tamaraw FX as escort. His predecessors used to have at least three to four vehicles as backups.

The PNP has been observing energy conservation in compliance with the President’s call to save energy.

PNP officials themselves try to observe car pooling and limit the operations of air-conditioning units in police headquarters nationwide from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., instead of the usual 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Air-condition units should be turned off during lunch break from 12 noon to 1 p.m. to save electricity.

Last week PNP officials led by Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon, deputy chief for operation, took a bus in their visit to The STAR offices in Port Area, Manila.

Calderon, No. 3 man in the PNP, was with Director Marcelo Ele Jr., chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management; Director Simeon Dizon, chief of the Directorate for Intelligence; Director Isidro Lapena, chief of the Directorate for Operation; Chief Superintendent Servando Hizon, chief of the Directorate for Logistics; and Chief Superintendent Fernado Pace of the Directorate for Police Community Relation.

"This is the classic example of car pooling," Dizon told The STAR during the trip.

The PNP, however, noted that security and safety of certain individuals, particularly diplomats, would not be compromised over the effort to conserve energy.