Delay in use of body cams in police ops questioned

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers questioned on Tuesday the delay in the actual use of body-worn cameras in police operations due to the absence of protocols. Barbers, chair of the House dangerous drugs committee, said the Philippine National Police only needed to “copy the best practices in the world” on its use. “What is so difficult and problematic in the implementation of the use of body cams by law enforcers here in the country? It’s not rocket science and it would just take days to orient the users on its worldwide accepted protocols,” he told reporters. In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite accused the PNP of “intentionally delaying” the use of body cameras in police operations so that the police could continue with the modus operandi of planting evidence in their operations against activists and other nefarious activities.” “There really is refusal in the police bureaucracy to have their men wear cameras that is why it is delayed,” Gaite said.

—Nestor Corrales