Sen. Francis Pangilinan appealed Saturday for the immediate passage of law that would mandate law enforcement officers to use body cameras during their operations to prevent unlawful arrests and planting of evidence.
Pangilinan cited the recent arrest of peasant group leader and activist Amanda Echanis on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Groups and human rights advocates claimed the arrest was marred with irregularities and planted evidence, while others vouched for Echanis' character.
"Proteksyon ito ng publiko sa maaaring pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan at karahasan ng mga pulis tulad ng pagtanim ng ebidensya, illegal na pag-aresto, at maging ng pagpatay (We need to protect the public against the possibility of police abuse of power or use of violence such as planting of evidence, illegal arrest, and even killings),” the opposition senator said in a statement.
“Bukod kay Amanda, libo-libo pa ang naaresto o namatay sa kamay ng mga police na maaaring tinaniman ng ebidensya. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nila nakakamtam ang hustisya (Aside from Amanda, thousands have been arrested or even killed by the police, possibly on planted evidence. Until now, justice is still not served),” he added.
Pangilinan authored the Senate Bill 42, one of the four bills filed in Senate to require law enforcers to wear and use body cameras in their operations.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, in January approved the consolidated bill on the matter. The proposed law would also allow the use of the body camera footages as court evidence, particularly in cases of abuse.
"Maiiwasan nito ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan at mababawasan din ang mga pagpatay at pagdakip sa kamay ng pulis (This will prevent the abuse of power and will help reduce the killings and abductions of police). We hope this bill would be passed into law as soon as possible,” Pangilinan said.
"Makakatulong ito sa mga lugar na walang CCTV. Proteksyon din ito sa mga pulis (This will help in areas without CCTV cameras. This is also a protection for policemen),” he also noted.
During the hearing for the 2021 national budget, the PNP said that 2,600 body cams have been procured with a budget of P287 million. If the body cams passed testing, they will be issued to police units in their drug operation activities.
Pangilinan and other minority senators had called for the immediate release of Echanis and her one-month-old child from detention.