STILL needing around 30,000 Body-Worn Camera units to cover their entire stations and units nationwide, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar yesterday said they will still fully comply with the Supreme Court’s new ruling which made it mandatory for the police to use body cams or alternative recording devices in the conduct of searches and arrests.

The PNP chief said that although they still have not enough body cams, the PNP Directorate for Operations headed by Major Gen. Alfred S. Corpus had already issued a memorandum containing the general protocols for the use of BWCs or ARDs in the execution of search and arrest warrants as well as warrantless arrests.

“Ngayong epektibo na ang mga alituntunin na inilabas ng ating Korte Suprema tungkol sa paggamit ng body-worn cameras, agad naglabas ng kautusan ang inyong PNP ng Memorandum Order sa lahat ng ating commanders na sumunod sa mga patakarang ito,” he said.

“Ang inyong PNP ang nagsagawa ng inisyatibo para humingi ng tulong sa Korte Suprema para sa malinaw na alituntunin sa paggamit ng mga body-worn cameras kaya walang dahilan para hindi namin sundin ito,” he added.

Last Thursday, members of the Pasay City Police Station led by Lieutenant Allan Valdez used their BWCs to record the conduct of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 at a house on 2438 on Tagumpay Street, Barangay 95, Zone 11.

The target of the raid identified as Roberto Salas was not around during the 8:12 p.m raid but officers recovered an unlicensed caliber .38 Smith & Wesson revolver with two live ammunition.

The raid was ordered by Pasay City Judge Wilhemina Jorge-Wagan and was done in accordance with the new SC rules with Lt. Valdez as the ‘orator/speaker, said Southern Police District director, Brigadier Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg.

The search was also witnessed by the daughter of Sales and local barangay officials.

Raids like this will now be the norm in the PNP as the memorandum on the general protocols for the use of BWCs or ARDs in the execution of search and arrest warrants as well as warrantless arrest was addressed to all directors of the 17 Police Regional Office Directors and different PNP National Operational Support Units including the PNP Drug Enforcement Group and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for strict compliance.

Gen. Eleazar said they have already taken the initiative to obtain more BWC units from donations of Local Government Units (LGUs) and private individuals and groups. The donations however must be compatible with their present system.

Recently, the Public Safety and Savings and Loan Associations, INC, (PSSLAI) headed by retired Gen. Lucas M. Managuelod committed to donate five sets of BWCs to the PNP. Each set, composed of 16 BWC units and other accessories, costs approximately P2 million.

Gen. Eleazar revealed that there are also a number of local chief executives, private individuals and groups that have already signified interest to donate BWCs to the PNP.

He said the BWCs will support their effort to further promote transparency in the conduct of law enforcement operations specifically when it comes to serving warrants of arrest and search warrants for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The PNP launched the body-worn camera system on June 4 to ensure transparency and legitimacy of law-enforcement operations. Initially, a total of 2,696 body cameras have been distributed to 171 police stations and offices.

However, the top cop said they still need approximately 30,000 more sets of BWCs.

“I understand that it will take billions of funds from the national government to complete the 30,000 units of body-worn cameras that the PNP still needs kaya kami po ay patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan upang makakuha ng mga ito sa pamamagitan ng malakas na ugnayan sa ating mga LGUs (local government units) at mga pribadong indibidwal at grupo na handang tumulong sa kapulisan sa adhikaing ito,” Gen. Eleazar said.

He said the initial objective is to equip the Provincial and Station Drug Enforcement Units as well as the National Support Units that include the Deg, CIDG, the Maritime Group and the Highway Patrol Group.

Gen. Eleazar pointed out that the memorandum specifies the general protocols on the use of the BWCs or ARDs where the gadgets are never to be turned off at any time while the execution of a search and arrest warrant or a warrantless arrest is going on.

He said that in cases of valid warrantless arrests, the BWC or ARD will be used as far as it is practicable.

“The memorandum also requires police operatives to, upon return of warrant, submit a copy of the video to the court along with an affidavit attesting to the facts and authenticity of the recording,” Gen. Eleazar explained.

“Nakasaad din dito na kailangang magpaliwanag sa korte ng mga operatiba sakaling hindi nila sundin ang requirement na paggamit ng BWC o ARD sa kanilang operasyon,” he added.

The PNP chief assured that Enhanced Operational Guidelines and Policies on the use of BWCs and ARDs will soon be disseminated to all police offices and units so all police personnel will be guided accordingly on the proper utilization of the devices.

“Ito ay hindi lamang para sa proteksyon ng mga karapatan ng ating mga kababayan kundi proteksyon din ng aming hanay laban sa mga maling haka-haka at alegasyon sa isinasagawa naming operasyon,” he said.

“Hindi sapat ang aming body-worn cameras but in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I trust that our commanders will find ways to comply with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras,” Gen. Eleazar pointed out.