FILE — Sen. Francis Pangilinan. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Saturday said police officers should be equipped with body cameras during operations to prevent unlawful arrests and planting of evidence as alleged in the case of peasant organizer Amanda Echanis.
In a statement, Pangilinan said the use of body cameras by the police is the public’s way of protecting themselves against possible abuse.
“Proteksyon ito ng publiko sa maaaring pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan at karahasan ng mga pulis tulad ng pagtanim ng ebidensya, illegal na pag-aresto at maging ng pagpatay,” said Pangilinan.
(We need to protect the public against the possibility of police abuse of power or use of violence such as planting of evidence, illegal arrest, and even killings.)
To ultimately fast track the use of body cams during police operations, Pangilinan called for the immediate passage of his Senate Bill 427 or The Body Camera Act that requires law enforcers to activate the devices at the beginning of operations or at the first reasonable opportunity when there is an immediate threat to life and safety.
The body cameras will only be deactivated until the operation has been carried out.
“Makakatulong ito sa mga lugar na walang CCTV. Proteksyon din ito sa mga pulis (This will help in areas without CCTV cameras. This is also a protection for policemen),” said Pangilinan.
Echanis, a graduate of University of the Philippines-College of Arts and Letters, was said to be conducting relief operations in Cagayan Valley when she was arrested on the grounds of alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Pangilinan and other Minority Senators Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, and Rise Hontiveros also called for the immediate release of Echanis and also of her one-month-old baby from detention.
“Maiiwasan nito ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan at mabbaawasan din ang mga pagpatay at pagdakip sa kamay ng pulis. We hope this bill would be passed into law as soon as possible,” said Pangilinan.
(We can prevent the abuse of power and we can limit the number of killings and illegal arrests at the hands of police.)
The Philippine National Police have already procured 2,600 body cameras with a budget of P287 million. The equipment will be issued to police units if it passed the testing that was done on October 12, 2020.