By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Philippine National Police

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has finally launched its body-worn camera system among police officers to assure transparency and legitimacy in conducting operations.

During the launching event on Friday, PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar said an initial 2,696 camera units have been rolled out to 171 police community stations and offices.

There are also 20 police offices and 108 stations expected to receive the body camera sets, according to Eleazar.

The body camera program is intended to be used in conducting anti-illegal drug operations, hostage operations, high-risk chokepoint operations, security operations, and security coverage of the events to be held in the country.

According to Eleazar, the PNP needs to acquire 33,000 to 34,000 body-worn camera sets in order to fully cover all police units in the country and that 16 devices are required per station.

The PNP Command Center is the one responsible for monitoring all operations being conducted nationwide, the PNP chief added.

Eleazar said the initiative was a tribute to Kian Delos Santos, a teenager who was killed by police officers in Caloocan City way back in 2017.

The project is also intended for all cops “whose ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty were tainted by claims of extra-judicial killings, planting of evidence and other unfair allegations.”


Report source: GMA News