MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Monday the Senate will be looking into the purchase of helicopters by the Philippine National Police in 2009.

Lacson said the Senate probe will focus on the procurement of R44 Raven II Police Helicopters as part of the “eye-in-the-sky” program using choppers with night vision capability for its anti-criminality campaign.

The PNP leadership had earlier said that the three were all brand-new when procured in 2009 but Lacson said two of the three choppers turned out to be second-hand.

“Based on my research, two of the helicopters are old but were purchased as brand-new,” said Lacson in his speech during the flag-raising ceremony at the PNP Headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Not only old but the two helicopters were also overpriced and can never be used in what they are intended to do since they have no enhancement capabilities like infrared and other equipment needed in running after criminals.

Again quoting his research, Lacson said the two five-year-old choppers were supposed to be priced at US$100,000 each (roughly P5 million) but the PNP allegedly bought them at P35 to P37 million each.

Even if the choppers were indeed brand-new, Lacson said they are still overpriced since a Robinson helicopter is currently priced at US$348,000 or P16 million.

“Why would the PNP would shell out P35 to P37 million for each of the old helicopters that can be bought only at P5 million,” Lacson, a former PNP chief, asked.