Taking videos or photo of a criminal offense, like the viral video of the fatal shooting in Tarlac, could help hasten criminal investigation and prosecution, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque recognized that such videos and photos could be used as evidence to pin down the culprit of a crime.
Roque made the comment after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas reportedly discouraged the public from taking videos or photos of crime incidents for their own safety. But if people really want to film the incident, they should stay far from the crime scene, according to the police chief.
"Well, may posibilidad po talaga na magkaroon ng… kumbaga danger doon sa buhay noong kumukuha. Pero ganoon pa man nandiyan po ang teknolohiya para mapabilis po ang paglilitis noong mga lumalabag sa batas. (Well, there is really the possibility for danger on the lives of those filming. Nevertheless, technology is there to speed up the trial of those who break the law)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday.
Roque said this was the reason body-worn cameras for policemen have been encouraged during operations as well as closed circuit television (CCTV) are installed in the streets. The video footage, he said, could help identify the culprit of a crime.
He also recognized that the viral video of the shooting of a mother and son by a cop in Tarlac could aid in the investigation of the incident.
"Sa akin po, mas mabuti pa rin na nagkaroon tayo ng ganiyang video dahil napakadali pong patunayan ang pananagutan nitong pulis na ito dahil i-authenticate lang po iyong video na iyan kung sino ang kumuha at puwede na pong matanggap iyan bilang ebidensiya (For me, it is better to have that kind of video because it will be very easy to proof the liability of that cop because the person who film the incident would only authenticate the video and it can be used as evidence)," he said.
A police officer has been charged with the murder of two persons following a dispute last Saturday. Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca surrendered to authorities after shooting Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony. The video showing Nuezca shooting the two victims went viral online and triggered public outcry for police reform.