No invasion of privacy: DILG upholds PNP monitoring of social media for lockdown violators

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday defended the move of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to monitor social media for quarantine violations, saying there is no breach in right to privacy when the person posted the information online.

The PNP’s Joint Task Force COVID Shield earlier ordered all police stations and units to be on the lookout for COVID-19 quarantine violators by monitoring social media platforms. Netizens were also encouraged to tag the JTF FB page when they see photos and reports online of violations of minimum health standards and other quarantine violations.

READ: PNP will scan social media for quarantine violators, Shield chief warns

The directive drew fierce opposition, with human rights advocates warning the police that the move may violate constitutional and privacy rights, especially when done without legal authority given by the courts.

But Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, citing Supreme Court decisions, said that an individual is basically waiving his right to privacy when he posted materials online.

“Ang posisyon po ng DILG ay wala pong nalalabag na kahit ano mang batas dito nor are we violating the right to privacy. Maliwanag po ang naging mga desisyon ng Supreme Court diyan, na kung ang isang tao mismo ang nagpost ng isang bagay hindi po ‘yan violation of the right to privacy,” Malaya said in a televised press briefing.

“Kasi kung ‘yung tao mismo ang hindi rumespeto sa kanyang privacy, how can it be justified na magiging pribado pa ‘yan kung siya mismo ang naglagay sa public sphere,” he added.

However, Malaya noted that the police should validate the veracity of the posts first before taking action.

In May, National Capital Region Police Office head Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers gained wide criticisms when they celebrated the metro police chief’s 55th birthday, violating lockdown regulations at the time.

The police officers are now facing criminal charges before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office for the quarantine breach.

KGA