Robredo says body cameras needed during anti-drug ops

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo, newly-designated anti-drug czar, said the use of body cameras is necessary to “preserve the integrity” of anti-drug operations.

Robredo said body cameras will be used to protect operatives from baseless and harassment charges.

“Indispensable iyong body cams for many reasons. Iyong pinakauna, proteksyon iyon sa law enforcement agents [It protects law enforcement agents.],” Robredo told the media after the Indo-Pacific Federation Conference of the Theosophical Society in Quezon City.

“Proteksyon iyon kasi ang iba naman sa kanila nakakasuhan nang walang basehan [It is protection because some of the law enforcers are facing baseless charges.],” she added.

The Vice President said body cameras will show the true events that happened in drug busts which will also protect innocent victims of the government’s drug war.

“Mas lalong proteksyon sa mga tao, para kung ano talagang tunay na nangyari sa operasyon [It will protect the people and will show the real events that happened during the operation.],” Robredo said.

“Pero kung may body cams, mas magiging—iyong integrity ng operasyon, ma—ano ito—mape-preserve [But body cameras will preserve the integrity of the operation],” she added.  /muf