The Philippine National Police (PNP) will start using body cameras for their operations starting March.
PNP Directorate for Logistics chief Police Major General Angelito Casimiro explained that a resolution would be issued regarding the acceptance of body cameras in the second phase.
“After ng training po na ito, they will convene ‘yung acceptance committee and TWG will render a report and within ten days, they will have to make a resolution tungkol sa acceptance ng body-worn cameras sa second phase and that will be recommended by the Committee on Inspection and Acceptance to the Chief PNP, who is the head of the procuring entity,” Casimiro said.
Over 2,600 body cameras have been procured by the police force. Casimiro shared that the Directorate for Operations is also in the process of finalizing the protocols regarding the use of the said equipment.
“We hope and pray that everything will [run] smoothly, dadaan po sa proseso and by March fully operational na po ‘yung body-worn cameras natin PNP-wide,” he said.
“Sabi nga ni contract administrator nakadistribute na po to the different police stations, police provincial offices ‘yung mga hardware natin,” he added.
“Kailangan lang ireconfigure para ‘yung body cam. Ma-reconfigure within the desktop para ma-dock ‘yung mga body cam and mastore po ‘yung memory.”
Each police station will receive 16 body cameras where 8 of them will be given by the operating team, according to Casimiro.
“Doon sa walo na nasa labas, apat po doon ang may SIM card… ‘yung nagfi-feed ng screen doon sa command center natin,” Casimiro said.
The newly-purchased body cameras aim to help answer the public’s doubt regarding a series of alleged irregularities conducted during police operations.
“‘Yung sinasabi po ninyong doubt, ito po ‘yung mag-prove na depensa rin sa amin,” he said.
Casimiro said the equipment will be used in the police’s law enforcement and combat operations, including its continuing anti-illegal drugs operations. Ronald dela Cruz