QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) officially bolstered its operational capabilities on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the turnover of ₱506.9 million worth of new personnel carriers, motorcycles, and specialized law enforcement equipment.
The blessing and turnover ceremony, held at Camp Crame, was presided over by PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. The procurement was funded through a combination of 2024 congressional adjustments and the 2025 Capability Enhancement Program.
The ₱506,996,656 procurement includes a wide range of assets designed to enhance mobility and tactical response:
- Mobility Assets: 117 units of 4×4 personnel carriers (₱251.7M) and 71 units of 150cc dirt bikes (₱10.5M).
- Tactical Gear: 403 units of autogated night vision monoculars (₱103.8M) and 3,711 all-purpose waistcoat vests (₱98.3M).
- Operational Tools: 800 units of civil disturbance equipment (₱35.9M) and 600 units of non-lethal equipment (₱6.5M).
Gen. Nartatez emphasized that the new equipment will be vital in deterring “focus crimes,” which include murder, homicide, robbery, and carnapping. He specifically noted that the 4×4 personnel carriers are slated for deployment to tourist police units, ensuring heightened security in key travel destinations across the country.
“This will augment the capabilities of our patrollers and our units to deny the occurrence of focus crimes,” Nartatez said during the event.
The turnover is part of a broader push to modernize the national police force, following a ₱1.67-billion procurement of firearms and vehicles earlier in the year. By providing officers with advanced tools—such as autogated night vision devices—the PNP aims to improve its performance in nighttime operations and specialized tactical scenarios.
The arrival of the new fleet and gear coincides with the heavy security deployment for Holy Week 2026, where thousands of officers have been stationed at transport hubs and pilgrimage sites to manage the massive influx of travelers.