MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it will no longer procure products from the Indian maker of its 2,000 patrol vehicles, which were deemed by state auditors as unfit for law enforcement operations.

The Commission on Audit particularly flagged the 1,656 Mahindra Enforcer patrol units worth P1.5 billion and 398 Mahindra Scorpio light transport units worth P349 million purchased during the previous administration, saying these were purchased without any operations needs assessment.

• COA flags PNP for purchasing of P1.8-B worth of 'unfit' patrol vehicles

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"Iyung Mahindra, hindi na po sila kasama sa future procurement ng Philippine National Police dahilan nga po sa aming hindi magandang experience as far as their products are concerned," PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr. told radio DZMM.

(Mahindra will not be included in future procurement of the Philippine National Police because of our unfavorable experience as far as their products are concerned.)

COA has also noted that the minimum standard specifications for the vehicles were lowered, causing recurring problems on acceleration and engine performance.

There are also no spare parts available for the vehicles in areas where the PNP conducts its operations, auditors said.

"Hindi po encouraging iyung mga report in terms of its responsiveness to the operational needs of our units in the field," Durana said.

(The reports in terms of the responsiveness of Mahindra vehicles to the operational needs of our units in the field are not encouraging.)

Police will follow COA's directive to issue memorandum circular addressing the standard specifications of the Mahindra patrol vehicles, he added.

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the issue while Senator Grace Poe eyed a separate legislative probe.