3 police officials in body camera shakedown axed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is set to sign the dismissal papers of three PNP officials embroiled in the body camera procurement anomaly.

Majors Emerson Sales, Rholly Caraggayan and Angel Beros would be dismissed from the police service over their alleged extortion attempt on one of the bidders for the acquisition of body cameras, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said yesterday.

Sales, Caraggayan and Beros were part of the technical working group of the PNP bids and awards committee.

Gamboa said the police officials allegedly demanded P5 million from one of the bidders vying for the multimillion contract to supply body cameras for the PNP. 

Sales and Caraggayan had gone AWOL or absent without official leave. Beros remains in active police service.

Gamboa said the three could still appeal the PNP decision and file a motion for reconsideration before the National Appellate Board.  

The PNP targets to finish the bidding for the project by December and the delivery of the body cameras by the third or second quarter of 2020. 

The police force first planned to buy more than 37,000 body cameras in 2017 amid allegations of extra-judicial killings in the government’s drug war.

P3 billion firearms, vehicles

The PNP has acquired over P3 billion worth of vehicles, firearms and other equipment as part of its capability enhancement program.

Gamboa yesterday led the blessing of the equipment at the police headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Among the equipment procured by the PNP are a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, two Bell H125 single engine helicopters, 2 R44 training helicopters and 34 utility trucks.

The police force also acquired over 40,000 firearms, including rifles and light machine guns.