On September 2012, the PNP signed a Php1-billion contract which aimed to address the severe shortage of guns of the PNP. Reports show that the deal should add 74,879 handguns to the national police. The remaining Glock 17 pistols (around 52,000 more) are expected to be delivered within the next few months. According to the PNP, each pistol was bought for P16,569, much lower than its current retail price of P40,940. The PNP said the government was able to save P200 million for the handguns.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said, the new Glock 17 pistols underwent one of the "biggest" and "most transparent" bidding processes in the history of the PNP.

"In fact, noong bidding process may apat na camera na nakatutok doon sa kwarto. We really made sure that it will be transparent and procedural," he said. He also explained that the PNP leadership chose to buy Glock 17 pistols since these guns are the ones being used by police officers in more developed countries, such as the United States.

"Ito rin ang most reliable and pinakamadaling i-maintain na baril," Sindac said in a separate interview.

According to the Glock website, the Glock 17 handgun is the "world's most popular pistol." The unit specifically given to PNP officers has a reversible enlarged magazine catch and a dual recoil spring assembly, among other features. - GMA news