Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday, July 17, welcomed the Supreme Court requiring policemen to use body-worn cameras when serving arrest and search warrants.
Gatchalian said the rules promulgated by the SC will keep the actions of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in check.
“Hindi dapat mangibabaw ang impresyon sa publiko ng pagkakaroon ng mga police scalawags sa hanay ng PNP kaya kinakailangan ang ganitong panuntunan (The public's impression that there are always scalawags in the PNP should not prevail, that's why we needed these rules)," the senator said in a statement.
"Sa ganitong pamamaraan, maaaring maibalik ang kumpiyansa ng publiko sa mga alagad ng batas (This way, we could bring back the public's confidence in law enforcers)," he added.
Gatchalian recalled pushing for the use of body cameras since 2017 after 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos was killed by members of the Caloocan police in what they claim was an anti-illegal drugs operation. Three policemen were convicted and sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.
The use of body cameras, he said, "will protect the public against police misconduct and help our policemen from false accusations of abuse."
"It is also important to recognize the value of utilizing technology as an important enforcement and public safety tool,” he further said.
“As the primary protector of the civilian populace, our police operatives must ensure that their integrity and character are always beyond reproach especially in the conduct of their function,” Gatchalian pointed out.
Under the SC's resolution dated June 29, 2021, police officers must have at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device during arrest and search operations.
The body camera and recording tool must be activated as soon as the law enforcers arrive at the place of arrest and search, and shall not be turned off until the operation is concluded or the subject of the warrant is brought to the police station or jail.