Belmonte donates P84 million equipment to QCPD

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday donated nearly P84 million worth of equipment to the city’s police force to boost its operational capabilities against terrorism and other crimes.

Belmonte led the turnover ceremony of the equipment at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters in Camp Karingal.

She turned over a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) worth P65.30 million, eight sniper rifles with assorted accessories valued at P9 million and 95 9mm sub-machine guns worth P9.58 million.

The ROV, which Belmonte said is the first of its kind in the country, will help the QCPD in the disposal of improvised explosive devices.

The firearms, on the other hand, were distributed to Special Weapons and Tactics teams and other operational and support units of the QCPD.

Belmonte said the donation is their way of showing support to police officers who risk their lives to enforce quarantine protocols to protect residents from COVID-19.

“It is only imperative that we give back what we have received from you,” she said.

Belmonte also lauded police officers in the city for maintaining peace and order even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She vowed to establish more programs to make the QCPD the best-equipped and best-trained police force in the country.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo promised to put the equipment to good use.

Meanwhile, Belmonte welcomed the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s initiative to hire an additional 2,000 contact tracers to help the Quezon City government in its efforts against the pandemic.