PNP anti-drug ops continue despite scant body cameras available for cops

Scarce body camera? No problem.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa vowed on Tuesday that the limited number of available body cameras would not stop the police force from carrying out anti-illegal drug operations.

In an ambush interview, Dela Rosa was asked to clarify if they would not conduct any anti-illegal drug operations since they still lack funding for the procurement of body cameras for all policemen involved in the campaign.

“Yung kawalan ng body camera hindi obstacle sa amin. Kahit may body cam ka pero gagaguhin mo operation mo, kagagauhan pa rin resulta, masama pa rin kahit walang body (camera),” he noted.

Earlier, Dela Rosa said use of body cameras would be mandatory for policemen conducting anti-illegal drug raids. But he explained that this directive should only apply once they have procured enough supplies to cover all policemen involved in the anti-illegal drug drive.

“Sabi ko magkakaroon kami ng policy na walang operate kung walang body-worn camera ‘pag meron na kami. Pero ‘pag wala, hindi kami makapag-operate hindi pwede yun, operate ka pa rin, ‘pag meron na we will have that policy,” he said.

In a press briefing last December 6, 2017, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said Dela Rosa has three new directives to all PNP personnel: the use of body cameras during anti-illegal drugs operations, observance of extreme caution, and focus on their ranks’ internal cleansing.

READ: ‘Bato’ orders mandatory use of body camera during anti-drugs ops

/kga