PNP welcomes CCTV installations in police stations, pushes for more body-worn cameras
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is open to the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTVs) in the police stations as part of the move to monitor the reported wrongdoings of its personnel.
But if that is the case, there should be enough funding for it from the General Appropriations Act and the fund should also include the body-worn cameras of its operating units across the country.
"This is a good proposal and the PNP welcomes it as these CCTVs would not only monitor the activities of the policemen inside but would serve as an added security," said PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.
She was reacting to the proposal of Sen. Raffy Tulfo amid reports of the abuses of policemen.
In pursuing the CCTV installations in all police stations and offices, Fajardo also cited the need to complete the procurement of body-worn cameras.
The use of body-worn cameras was suggested and even funded at the height of the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs due to reports of human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings.
Almost 3,000 body-worn cameras were already procured from the budget allocated by the Congress but the PNP needs more to cover all its police stations.
"We only have less than 3,000 body-worn cameras so there are still units that need to be provided. This would be a long discussion because it entails funding," said Fajardo.