DILG blocks retirement of pilot in PNP chopper mess

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has blocked the retirement of a ranking police officer embroiled in the national police’s allegedly overpriced purchase of second-hand helicopters two years ago. DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said they found out that Superintendent Claudio Gaspar Jr. was among the pilots of one of the two helicopters that used to fly former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family before the aircraft was sold as "brand new" to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in September 2009. Robredo said when they tried looking for Gaspar, the DILG found out that he was already preparing for his early retirement. "I was told that Col. Gaspar is currently working for the approval of his papers for early retirement. I have asked my staff at [National Police Commission] to hold his papers in abeyance until he has cleared his name in the controversy he is in," Robredo said Thursday. Robredo said they considered Gaspar to be "in hot water for allegedly keeping secret the aircraft's real physical condition." Gaspar is one of the 16 members of the PNP Inspection Team that certified that the two used helicopters bought by the PNP were brand new. The two Robinson R44 Raven 1 model choppers (with body numbers RP-4375 and RP 4250) had supposedly been used in the past by the Arroyos, several lawmakers, as well as celebrities before being sold to the PNP. The PNP bought three choppers for P104.9 million, but only one was actually brand new, with only 9.9 hours flying time, while the two had an average flying time of 500 hours. The "refurbished" choppers were bought by the PNP from the Manila Aerospace Products Trading (MAPTRA) owned by one Hilario “Larry" De Vera. At least 27 PNP officers have been implicated in the alleged irregularity. Also being questioned are the PNP’s purchase of allegedly unserviceable motor boats and outboard motors for P131 million, and the alleged ghost repairs of 30 armored personnel carrier worth P300 million. Among the implicated police officers are the seven members of the PNP's Bids and Awards Committee that awarded the contract for the purchase of the helicopters. The said overpricing happened during the term of former PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, who has already denied any irregularities in the purchases. — KBK, GMA News