4 police officials face dismissal over P4.9-million motorized boats

MANILA, Philippines -  Four more senior police officers are facing dismissal from the service for approving without proper authority the purchase of 16 defective and unserviceable police patrol boats worth P4.9 million last year supposedly for the Philippine National Police Maritime Group (MG).

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the four police officers were identified as Superintendents Job Marasigan and Leodegario Bisaya, and Chief Inspectors Juanito Estrebor and Renelfa Saculles, all members of PNP Logistics Support Service’s Inspection and Acceptance Committee (LSS IAC).

“Without the knowledge of the PNP MG officials, the supplier (of the coastal crafts) was able to collect the contract price based on the inspection report prepared by the four LSS IAC officers,” said Robredo, concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

In the investigation report dated Aug. 5 submitted by PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, Robredo said PNP MG noted several defects in the 16 motorized patrol boats delivered by the supplier Four Petals Trading last March 10, 2010. The PCCs cost P4,799,984.

Robredo ordered an investigation after the Maritime Group complained that the delivered patrol boats did not conform to the specification of the Napolcom.

The Commission on Audit (COA) also reported that the engines of the police coastal crafts (PCCs) were diesel while the requirement was gasoline.

The report said that last July 12, 2010, members of the LSS IAC inspected and reported that the patrol boats were in good condition.

“It appears that several defects were noted in the delivered patrol coastal sea crafts, repeated demand have been made to the supplier to make appropriate corrections but no action was taken,” the report stated.

The LSS IAC officers issued a resolution to accept the PCCs and certified that they conform to the approved Napolcom specifications, the document used by the supplier to collect payment for the defective motorboats.

But based on the inspection report of the PNP MG Technical Inspection Committee, the engines installed to the PCCs were diesel-fed instead of the required gasoline engines.

Officers of the MG also reported that “the engines are not operational, no rudder and post, damaged outrigger, no ampere gauge, no canvass, no hole at the back portion of the starboard side, no alternator, stocked-up transmission, no heater plug, etc.”