THE local government of Manila accepts donations that are duly endorsed by legitimate organizations that are reputable and have been in existence for the longest time and as such, presume that everything is in order.
Manila City Administrator Bernardito C. Ang said this in reaction to a news wire agency report saying the Manila police force received motorbikes from the men apprehended recently by the NBI and branded as spies, a charge strongly denied by the Beijing government.
“Anybody or any organization that wants to donate is acceptable to the city government, most especially if they are coursed through reputable organizations like the Chinese federation. Most Chinese organizations course through their donations to the federation and it is not for us to confirm or vet when the federation already says everything is in order whenever they donate,” Ang stated.
If indeed there is anything suspicious about any donors, it is the job of the Interpol to inform us through the concerned agencies if there is any red notice or whatever that we should be wary about, he added.
“Imagine, if the motorcycles were donated to the police then the police should have known,” Ang said.
Mayor Honey Lacuna’s spokesperson and head of communications Atty. Princess Abante meanwhile said that the donated motorcycles to the Manila Police District consisted of nine 2016 models and one 2015 model of Sinski motorcycles worth P14,500.00 each, for a total value of P145,000.
“The motorcycles were registered with the LTO by them (donors) before the turnover. The Office of the Mayor did not receive cash donations from them. Only the motorcycles for the MPD,” Abante said.
