PNP ready to file charges in helicopter deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is prepared to file cases against personnel and civilians involved in the allegedly anomalous purchase of helicopters during the previous administration.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said that even if the internal investigation conducted by the PNP into the transaction is yet to be completed, the evidence gathered – including those collected in the Senate Blue Ribbon committee inquiry – is enough to file cases against those involved.

Civilians to be charged are the owners of the Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (MAPTRA), the firm that sold the helicopters to the PNP, and Archibald Po, president of Lion Air Inc., the firm that supplied the helicopters to MAPTRA.

He said the PNP will finish the investigation by next week. 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, asked Pagdilao if there was indication of a conspiracy in the transaction considering that several individuals were involved in the transaction.

Pagdilao said there are indeed indications of a conspiracy but declined to divulge details because the investigation is still ongoing.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said that the initial fact-finding report submitted by Director Arturo Cacdac found that “there was indeed failure to exercise due diligence in this transaction.” 

“In fact that initial report recommended the conduct of a criminal investigation and filing of necessary charges, if evidence warrants, against 27 persons,” Bacalzo said.

When asked by Sen. Francis Escudero if the 27 referred to the members of the bids and awards committee negotiating team, the inspection and acceptance committee, and the inspecting team members, Bacalzo said that it was contained in the initial fact-finding report.

Lacson also asked Bacalzo if the former first gentleman was among the 27. Bacalzo replied that his information was only based on the records of the PNP and not on the findings of the committee.

Bacalzo also noted that the PNP’s investigation could not be completed because of the ongoing Senate hearings.