The Philippine National Police (PNP) must now use body-worn cameras (BWCs) or alternative recording devices (ARDs) when conducting operations.
PNP Chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar confirmed that the Directorate for Operations issued a memorandum on Monday, August 2, 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.
PNP addressed the memorandum to all Police Regional Office Directors and National Operational Support Unit Directors for strict compliance.
Eleazar mentioned that the memorandum specifies that BWCs or ARDs must remain on throughout the execution of a search and arrest warrant or during the conduct of a warantless arrest.
In cases of valid warantless arrests, the PNP chief said that a BWC or ARD will be used as far as it is practicable.
"The memorandum also requires police operatives to, upon return of warrant, submit a copy of the video to the court along with an affidavit attesting to the facts and authenticity of the recording," Eleazar said in a statement.
"Nakasaad din dito na kailangang magpaliwanag sa korte ng mga operatiba sakaling hindi nila sundin ang requirement na paggamit ng BWC o ARD sa kanilang operasyon," he added.
Eleazar assured that the PNP will soon disseminate the Enhanced Operational Guidelines and Policies on the use of BWCs and ARDs to all police offices and units.
"Ito ay hindi lamang para sa proteksyon ng mga karapatan ng ating mga kababayan kundi proteksyon din ng aming hanay laban sa mga maling haka-haka at alegasyon sa isinasagawa naming operasyon," the PNP chief stressed.
"Hindi sapat ang aming body-worn cameras but in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I trust that our commanders will find ways to comply with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras," he added.
