The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has pledged PHP300 million in financial grant to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to help improve its facilities and provide advanced training resources for its cadets.

Speaking at the 45th PNPA Alumni Homecoming at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on Friday, PAGCOR chair and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said supporting the law enforcement community has been one of the gaming regulator’s priorities.

“While PAGCOR’s primary role is to regulate the gaming industry, we also have a responsibility to support institutions like the PNPA and the national police,” a PAGCOR news release on Sunday quoted Tengco as saying during the event.

“The law enforcement community has always been our top priority.”

PAGCOR’s grant will cover the construction of a PNPA Alumni Association building, which will serve as an administrative office and a dormitory for visiting alumni.

It will also finance the upgrade of PNPA’s Crime Scene Plaza that will serve as a training ground for forensic and investigative procedures, as well as the purchase of firearms training simulators.

Likewise, the state gaming firm will help the police academy acquire crime mapping and predictive policing software to support cadets’ training in crime analysis, visualization and prevention, and cybercrime investigations.

An ambulance, equipped with a GPS navigation system, ambulance stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair and a first aid kit, will be turned over to the PNPA next week.

“Technology is now a crucial aspect of law enforcement and our cadets must have access to modern facilities and training innovations that will allow them to combat crime more effectively,” Tengco said.

The PAGCOR chief also turned over a check worth PHP2.2 million to the PNPA Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI) for the purchase of a new service vehicle and 100 computer tablets.

“We hope that these contributions will help facilitate mobility and enhance the learning of cadets and alumni members who are engaged in continuing education,” Tengco said.

He acknowledged the support of its licensed casino foundations that have contributed nearly PHP700 million to PNP-related projects since 2017. (PNA)