By NG Seruela
Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Rolando Olay said today that body-worn cameras are for the protection of the public and police personnel against malicious and wrong accusations.
In a public briefing on Wednesday (July 14), he emphasized the importance of body-worn cameras to ensure no violations are made of police operational procedures or human rights.
He explained that the “body cams” will only be used by police personnel in anti-illegal drug operations and the security coverage of national events; when serving warrants; and at hostage rescue operations, high-risk checkpoints, and the implementation of court orders.
“We assure the public na ang ginawa ng Supreme Court–‘yung mga rules na ito–binigyan nila ng importansya ang data privacy at data management,” he said.
Olay added that police personnel must ensure that there at least two alternative recording devices if the body cams are not available. However, the use of the alternative devices must be permitted by the court that has issued the warrant.
“Kung hindi available ang body cams, ang mga police personnel [kailangan] i-ensure nila at least two alternative recording devices na may pahintulot ang korte na mag-i-issue ng warrant.”
Body-worn cameras were launched by the PNP on June 4. Olay said the organization currently has 3,696 units that have been distributed to 171 PNP units.
“Ini-expect namin na magkakaroon nga ng malaking confidence ang ating mga kababayan sa mga operasyon na ginagawa ng PNP, dahil na rin sa body-worn cameras na ito. At alam naman natin na may mga agam-agam iyong iba, at mayroong mga malisyosong paratang iyong iba, at iyan ay matutugunan finally ng body-worn camera,” Olay said. – jlo
