Four PNP LSS-IAC members face dismissal for irregular intervention in the procurement of 16 motorized bancas worth P4.9 for the PNP Maritime Group

Four ranking officers from the PNP Logistics Support Service’s Inspection and Acceptance Committee (PNP LSS IAC) are facing dismissal from the service for their alleged undue intervention in the March 2010 procurement and payment for 16 “defective and unserviceable” Police Coastal Crafts (PCCs) worth P4.9 million for use by the PNP Maritime Group.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo identified the erring officers as Superintendent Job F. Marasigan, Supt. Leodegario B. Bisaya, Juanito G. Estrebor, and Chief Inspector Renelfa L. Saculles, all members of the PNP LSS IAC.

In an investigation report dated August 5, 2011 submitted to him by PNP chief Gen. Raul Bacalzo, the DILG chief said the 16 PCCs were delivered by the supplier, Four Metals Trading, on March 10, 2010 but the PNP MG noted several defects in the boats which were not corrected by the supplier despite repeated demands.

Robredo said that without the knowledge of the PNP MG officials, the supplier Four Metals Trading was able to collect the contract price based on the inspection report prepared by the four LSS IAC officers.

The PNP LSS IAC officers issued a resolution to accept the PCCs and certified that they conform to the approved National Police Commission specifications, the document used by the supplier to collect payment for the defective boats (motorized bancas).

But based on the inspection report of the PNP MG Technical Inspection Committee, the engine installed to the PCCs, which was supposed to be gasoline fed, turned out to be diesel fed engines; and that “the engines are not operational, no rudder and post, damaged outrigger (katig), no ampere gauge, no canvass, no hole at the back portion of the starboard side, no alternator, stocked-up transmission, no heater plug, etc.”

“The above-mentioned officers led by Supt. Marasigan clearly acted in bad faith when they issued an inspection report and arrogated upon themselves the authority which was delegated to the PNP Maritime Group Inspection and Acceptance Committee by the PNP HQ Bids and Awards Committee,” Robredo said.

“Worse, after the payment of P4.8 million to the supplier, none of the 16 PCCs or motorized bancas was ever used for its intended purpose. Why? Because said defective PCCs which were moored at the Navotas Fish Port Complex in Navotas City all sunk when Typhoon Bebeng hit the country last year,” he added.

Bacalzo, on August 5, 2011, directed the chiefs of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to initiate pre-charge and criminal investigation against Supt. Marasigan and his men, including others who may be later identified as liable, for conducting inspection and acceptance of the 16 units PCCs without proper authority, tantamount to serious irregularity in the performance of duty under Section 2, D of Napolcom MC No. 2007-001 and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The funds for the procurement of the 16 PCCs was allocated from the fund for the procurement of 75 units Police Rubber Boats (PRB) which has an approved budget contract (ABC) of P180 million sourced from the P12 million Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) for CY 2008 and the P168 million from the Internal Security Operations Maritime Equipment.

The same funding sources were used for the April 2010 procurement of the allegedly overpriced and unserviceable 75 units of police rubber boats and 93 outboard motor engines worth P131.5 million. OPA, DILG