COA upholds ruling on P3.2M overpriced ammo purchase

The Commission on Audit (COA) has upheld its ruling holding former military officials and a supplier liable for an overpriced ammunition purchase by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2011.

COA found that the AFP overpaid by more than P3.2 million for 418,410 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, costing P35.85 per round.

The procurement process in 2011 reportedly failed to adhere to proper rules, leading to the inflated price.

Among those held responsible are former AFP chief of staff Ricardo David and former members of the GHQ Bids and Awards Committee, including its chairman, Major General Nestor Sadiarin.

Other officials from the AFP and the Philippine Army Procurement Center were also implicated.

The supplier, Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (ATI), through its local representative Intrade Asia Pacific Corporation, is also held liable.

Auditors pointed out that the 2011 purchase was significantly more expensive compared to a 2014 procurement from Poongsan Corporation at P20.48 per round.

Furthermore, the AFP had acquired nearly two million rounds from ATI months prior at a much lower price of P17.74 per round.