Espina authorized to sign supply contracts

Turn-Over Ceremony of the 16 surrendered SAF firearms on Thursday, February 19 at Camp Aguinaldo. (PNP-PIO)

MANILA — Philippine National Police officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina can now sign supply deals for the procurement of firearms, ammunition and other weapons.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has authorized Espina to “approve and issue permits to import/transport ammunitions, explosives, firearms of any type/caliber, weapon systems and accessories attached or pertaining to air, naval and land assets” through Napolcom Resolution 2015-106.

“The Napolcom resolutions were issued to authorize Espina to act on or approve urgent, necessary or time-bound disbursements, transactions (and) activities which, unless addressed immediately, may unduly cause damage and prejudice the public or hamper the effective performance of the functions of the PNP,” Eduardo Escueta, Napolcom vice chair and executive officer.

Escueta added that the resolution was made to hasten the acquisition of service firearms, explosives, ammunition and other weapons systems for its 150,000-member force.

Napolcom has earlier gave Espina the authority to approve procurement contracts and disbursements of “legitimate/regular financial transactions” of the PNP.

He was also allowed to release funds from the PNP’s Agency Reserved Fund, allocate funds from its Trust Receipts and sign checks in behalf of the PNP.

Espina, who succeeded resigned PNP Director General Alan Purisima, was also allowed to “enter into or renew agreements concerning regular transactions of the PNP and issue firearms licenses and permits pursuant to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.”