NPC to PNP: Probe alleged profiling of community pantry organizers

Community pantry in QC, which inspired others to put up the same. Screenshot of a Facebook post

MANILA, Philippines – The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Tuesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to look into reports and take action on the alleged profiling of community pantry organizers.

“Today, we call on again the attention of the PNP Data Protection Office to look into these reports and take appropriate measures to prevent any doings of its personnel on the ground that could potentially harm citizens and violate rights,” the NPC said in a statement.

The private body issued the statement after receiving reports that individuals were purportedly asked to provide personal data including their email address, Facebook account name, family background, among others.

However, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas denied issuing orders for the police to profile organizers of community pantries.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Tuesday that the organizer of Maginhawa community pantry Ana Patricia Non asked for help as three members of police asked for her number and her organization.

The NPC emphasized that collecting personal data must be done “fairly and lawfully” with respect to the rights of a data subject, including the rights to be informed and object.

“Should there be a need to collect personal information to maintain peace and order, it must be accomplished with transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality,” the NPC said.

“In times of adversity, Filipinos have the ability to come together and do extraordinary deeds. We must continue these efforts to build trust within and across communities amid this unprecedented health crisis,” it added. – Liezelle Soriano Roy, INQUIRER.net trainee