PNP to acquire 30,000 more body cams

MANILA, Philippines — With the Supreme Court in the thick of drafting guidelines and protocols for the use of body-worn cameras in police operations, the Philippine National Police is considering acquiring 30,000 more units to equip all its police stations and units nationwide.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP chief, said on Monday it was possible that the body-worn cameras would finally be used in the different police operations during his stint.

“As of the latest, we have distributed the 2,696 body cam units to the different police offices but only for the city police stations,” he said.

“We need additional 32,136 units to include all other support units to complete the requirement of 34,832,” he said.

Eleazar pointed out that he would like the body cams initially used in the service of search warrants.

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite on Monday said Eleazar should hasten the use of body-worn cameras in police operations to prevent the extrajudicial killings of activists, the planting of evidence and the “tokhang” of innocent individuals.