The impending purchase of 36, 000 striker-fired pistol by the Department of National Defense (DND) with a budget of 1.7 billion pesos should be thoroughly investigated, according to a transparency watchdog.
This is due to various concerns regarding the process of the Bids and Awards Committee and the Technical Working Group in the bidding process or the selection of the supplier.
According to Pinoy Aksyon, a transparency watchdog, the price of each firearms appears to be overpriced or excessively high .
Based on the gathered bid document, each piece is priced at P49,500, while it is only around P22,000 or nearly double when compared to various establishments.
The tightening of the requirements for the bidding process by the Bid and Awards Committee is also suspicious, as it seems to favor certain suppliers by insisting on aluminum/carbon steel striker-fired pistols.
Pinoy Aksyon questioned why the Bid and Awards Committee insists on using aluminum/carbon steel striker-fired pistols, even though these are not used by any military organization belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO, as they are not suitable for such firearms.
"We find ourselves perplexed because there is no definitive scientific or independent laboratory testing to verify whether 7075-T6 Aluminum or Carbon Steel is the suitable material for these firearms," Pinoy Aksyon stressed.
"Given the multifaceted responsibilities of the military in safeguarding Filipinos and the nation, it is of paramount importance to guarantee that the weaponry procured for them is of superior quality and not substandard," the group added.
The group emphasized the importance of keeping the public well-informed about such transactions within the department.
Furthermore, they underscored the essential need to unveil the individuals or entities responsible for these actions. They strongly emphasized the necessity for corrective measures to ensure the well-being of our soldiers.
