Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — The Commission on Audit (COA) recommends the indictment of former officials of the Zambales Provincial Police Office over 44 unaccounted assault rifles donated by the provincial government in 2006.
According to the annual audit report on the Philippine National Police for 2021, the Zambales Provincial Government donated 50 Kalashnikov AK 102 Caliber Rifles. But physical inventory of the guns last year revealed that only six were being used.
Citing the acknowledgement receipt for equipment (ARE), state auditors said the 44 missing firearm units amounting to over P2.5 million were distributed to eight local police stations and units in Zambales.
However, the submitted explanations of concerned accountable officers in 2008 said the firearms were allegedly turned over to the local chief executive of the Zambales provincial government.
“Based on the submitted explanations/sworn affidavits of concerned AOs in 2008, after signing the ARE, said firearms were allegedly turned over to the Local Chief Executive of the Provincial Government of Zambales,” said COA. “However, the turn-over of the said firearms was not duly acknowledged by recipients and remained unaccounted.”
The COA said that investigation is ongoing on the unaccounted firearms, but the Zambales Provincial Police office had already turned in at least three units.
“The Zambales Provincial Police Office submitted a memorandum informing the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division that of the 44 unaccounted firearms, three units were turned-in by the active and retired PNCOs (police non-commissioned officers) and were stocked in PLRDB, Zambales,” said COA in its report.
