Malacañang has directed the Philippine National Police to strengthen its communications systems and improve coordination during emergencies and crises, following the agency’s announcement to adopt more science and technology in forensics and law enforcement.
A Presidential Communications Office advisory on Feb. 14 noted that the PNP’s available communications equipment remains low. The agency has only filled 32.05% of its digital radio needs, 33.98% of tactical radios, and 2.48% of satellite phones.
“We need to be able to communicate with each other, especially during disaster response. We have to know the situation on the ground,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the first PNP Command Conference in Quezon City. “Police officers on site must immediately report what happened, what the situation is, and what they need.”
Marcos raised concern about the reported low level of available equipment.
“That’s something we really need to look into because the fill-up rate is too low. Even digital radios and tactical radios, we didn’t even reach 40% in any of the categories,” he said.
The PNP is still completing the purchase of 18 conventional repeaters worth about ₱54 million and 80 satellite phones worth about ₱6.5 million under its 2023 Capability Enhancement Program (CEP).
For CEP 2024, the PNP plans to buy 2,039 body-worn cameras, one digital trunked radio system, another 18 conventional repeaters, and 420 VHF low-band handheld radios, at a total cost of ₱585 million.
According to the PNP, the 2024 procurement has been delayed because of issues in the Terms of Reference, but the agency said the problems are being resolved. It aims to complete both the 2023 and 2024 procurements this year, which would raise its fill-up rates to about 32.07% for digital radios, 39.17% for tactical radios, and 6.03% for satellite phones.
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