apability development, often interpreted in terms of building “strength” enables the police force to carry out its mission. However, mere possession of capability is not sufficient if it is not transformed into practical results that benefit the community especially during anti-criminality or anti-insurgency operations. In these situations, logistics plays a very crucial role in the functions of the police force as the public’s first line of defense.

       The 1st Quarter CY 2008 report of the Office of the Directorate for Logistics (ODL) present these compelling statistics. The PNP has a shortage of 14,059 vehicles nationwide or 63% of the requirement for ground vehicles. With regard to firearms, ODL reported a shortage of 46,605 of short firearms or 38% of the total requirement. There is also a need for 63,294 long firearms by RMGs/ PMGs and other operating units in the field. The lack of communication equipment likewise reflects the same state. There is a shortage of 23,942 (88% of the total requirement) handheld radios and 2,885 (91.33% shortage) mobile radios needed by police stations nationwide.

seeks to upgrade its forensic capabilities by modernizing the Crime Laboratory. Significant steps have already been made in this direction as Crime Laboratory attained ISO certification, and has a fully operational Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) in place.

       Through the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) Project, the PNP intends to upgrade its Crime Laboratory on its firearm ballistic capability into international standards. IBIS is the modern technology tool used to collect, store and analyze the digital images of the unique microscopic markings found in every bullets and/ or cartridge cases fired from a firearm. Added to the database function of the system is the automation of the tedious cross-matching process of bullets and/or cartridge cases recovered from crime scenes against those already on file with the PNP. Even without the recovery of the gun used, the system can facilitate the identification of the make, model and serial number of the gun from which a bullet or cartridge case was fired. A human firearms examiner must of course examine the actual evidence for a conclusive match, but even a probable match provided by the system will expedite the cross- matching process of the bullets and/or cartridge cases recovered optimizing the efforts of the firearm examiner, providing more timely information to investigators and enabling the police look for additional evidences. For the crime laboratory, this means increased productivity and effectiveness.