TWO of the three Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters that the National Police acquired in 2009 were grossly overpriced as they have been purchased at the price of brand new although they were secondhand, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Monday.

Lacson, once a fugitive from justice, said the two helicopters that were acquired through the 2008 Capability Enhancement Program of the National Police were purchased at three times higher than the market price.

The National Police through its spokesman, Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., said it will cooperate in the investigation that the senator said will be conducted by the Senate blue-ribbon committee, the same body that proved alleged corruption in the Armed Forces.

“The National Police is ready to cooperate with the Senate in investigating this incident. The records regarding this matter will be presented accordingly,” Cruz said in a brief message he sent to reporters covering Camp Crame.

Lacson, who was the guest during the traditional Monday flag-raising ceremony at the National Police general headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, said the Senate is set to summon former National Police officials, including retired Director General Jesus Verzosa, to shed light on the acquisition of the allegedly overpriced helicopters.

“In 2009 the National Police bought three light police operational helicopters. The amount is P105 million. Based on my initial research, two of the three helicopters are old but they were sold as brand new,” he said during his speech.

Lacson, who retired as National Police chief on the day former President Joseph Estrada resigned, said the price of a new Robinson chopper as of 2011 is $348, 000, or about P16 million to P17 million.

“The two helicopters were bought during the 2004 elections, and they were already about five years old. Based on my inquiry, the price of one of the choppers should only reach $100,000, or less than P5 million,” he said.

The senator said the two helicopters do not even have “enhanced capabilities like infrared and other equipment” that can be used in the anticriminality campaign.

He said he had documents to back up his claims.

Based on a statement that the National Police issued on the blessing of the three choppers on February 11 last year, the helicopters were acquired for the total amount of P104.9 million.

The statement said that the helicopters, which were turned over to the Air Unit of the Special Action Force (SAF), have night-flying capability. Each one is “capable of flying for three hours on a standard fuel load at a cruising speed of 130 mph and a range of 300 miles.”

The helicopters also have a “500-watt xenon search light and infrared imaging system, monitor and dual audio controller for police radios.”

“The choppers will provide effective strategic command and control functions to coordinate ground units in police operations particularly during mobile pursuit situations,” Director Leocadio Santiago, then the SAF commander, said.

“They can also provide tactical support for fire suppression, aerial reconnaissance, supply airlift for ground troops in field operations, troop insertion and medical evacuation,” Santiago added.

On March 8 this year the National Police issued another statement about the launching of its “tactical air support to ground operations” with the use of the three Raven aircraft, and with Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo presiding.

Known as the “Sky Police,” its aim was to conduct aerial anticrime and surveillance patrols in Metro Manila and nearby regions in support of ground operations.

Lacson said since two of the helicopters are already old, why should the force have to pay about P35 million to P37 million for each of them, when each only costs P5 million.

He said the two used helicopters were extensively used as shown by their flight logs, which indicated “the same passengers.”

“We can see their regular users. They have one surname…they are siblings, mag-ina, mag-ama,” Lacson said.

He also asked the policemen if they have benefited from part of the Road User’s Fund that the Department of Public Works and Highways diverted to the National Police during the time of former President Gloria Arroyo, which he said was illegal.