The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday that the 2,700 body-worn cameras issued to them are insufficient.
According to PNP Public Information Office chief PBGen. Redrico Maranan, the number of body-worn cameras issued is less than the required 45,000 pieces that the police need for their operations, such as serving search and arrest warrants.
They have also requested that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocate funds for the additional procurement of body cameras.
Maranan explained that every police officer who conducts an operation must be wearing a body camera to document every situation.
He also admitted that the body-worn cameras used by the Navotas police were different, which resulted in the death of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar, 17, in the police operation.
According to him, the body cam of the two police officers wearing it was not turned on.
In July 2021, the Supreme Court approved the use of body-worn cameras in serving search and arrest warrants.
In August 2021, PNP Chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar confirmed that the Directorate for Operations issued a memorandum that establishes general protocols for the use of BWCs or ARDs during the execution of search and arrest warrants as well as during the conduct of warrantless arrests.
Meanwhile, aside from body-worn cameras, police officers conducting police operations must have a backup recording device.
