Probe sought into undelivered combat clothing, military equipment

From the Sun Star-Manila (Oct 24): Probe sought into undelivered combat clothing, military equipment

SENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a resolution seeking inquiry into the Commission on Audit (COA) report that combat clothing, equipment and ammunitions remained undelivered to the Philippine Army by the end of 2014.

"The government has a duty to ensure that the armed forces are constantly equipped with the necessary tools to exercise their constitutional mandate, protect the people, the state and national territory and sovereignty," the senator said.

The 2014 COA report stated that requested P231,944,682.19 million for Combat Clothing and Individual Equipment in the Headquarters, Philippine Army and P786,323.35 for common use supplies in 9th Infantry Division remained undelivered, as of year-end.

The report added that out of P569,576,219.44 that was transferred to the Government Arsenal account, only P42,413,972.34 or 7.44 percent of worth of ammunitions were delivered during the year.

State auditors had claimed that due to these failures, the Philippine Army was deprived of the timely use of the procured items.

Santiago said the Congress, through relevant legislation, must ensure the efficient and timely procurement and delivery of modern military equipment to the armed forces.

"Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory," she added, citing Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2015/10/24/probe-sought-undelivered-combat-clothing-military-equipment-437588