MANILA, Philippines — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo Tuesday revealed another procurement anomaly made by the Philippine National Police (PNP), with the hasty purchase of overpriced and unusable police rubber boats and outboard motor engines worth P131.5 million in 2009 due to typhoon "Ondoy."

During a press conference held at the DILG office in Quezon City, Robredo said that former PNP Chief General Jesus Versoza and other members of the PNP–National Headquarters (NHQ) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) could be held liable for the acquisition of 75 units of unusable police rubber boats and 93 outboard motor engines.

Verzosa denied his involvement in the alleged anomalous transactions involving the purchase of helicopters and rubber boats for the PNP which he led for almost two years.

In a statement though, his lawyer and spokesman Benjamin delos Santos, Verzosa stressed that there is no way that he could dip his fingers in the procurement process since there are existing procedures that are strictly being followed for every purchase of any equipment.

“Systems and procedures are in place in the PNP bidding processes. Complete staff action is undertaken before it reaches me for approval,” said Verzosa.

“I have no knowledge or information of any irregularities or violation of the procurement law,” he added.

Robredo said: "I have ordered PNP Chief General Raul Bacalzo to file appropriate charges against those responsible personnel, within or outside the police service involved in the anomalous transaction and to cause possible reinstitution of the amount relative to the procurement."

In April 2009, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued a resolution which approved the standard specifications for police rubber boats. But in November 2009, the PNP–NHQ –BAC issued its own resolution which recommended several revisions on the procurement for police rubber boats and spare engines.

A new resolution was issued later, recommending the procurement of rubber boats "through negotiation." Then, the same group issued another resolution "recommending the award of contract and purchase order for the delivery of 75 units of rubber boats and 93 outboard motors."

Technical audit experts and other Commission on Audit (CoA) personnel deployed in the PNP have been placed under investigation for possible involvement in the anomalous purchase of refurbished helicopters passed on as brand new.

This was gathered as a review of the 2009 PNP annual audit report submitted by Supervising Jaime Sanares mentioned nothing about the irregular purchase of the two supposedly brand-new Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters.