AMID the controversy generated by the presence of four members of the Special Weapons and Tactics or SWAT team from the Pasig City Police Station in a private event in the city last week, I believe it is high time for everybody to be fully aware of the Date Privacy Act.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos last week ordered the investigation of the four SWAT members who were carrying long firearms when they were seen posing for a souvenir photo with some staff of a private company during their soft-launching in Pasig City. The probe was ordered amid PNP chief General Rommel Marbil’s strict directive against “moonlighting” cops and unauthorized bodyguards.

The DILG chief ordered the probe after getting a report regarding the supposed deployment of a SWAT team from Batangas province to a private event in Pasig. He added he will not tolerate the deployment of active police personnel as private escorts for purely private purposes.

From what I gathered from many friends in the force, the issue started when the wife of a politician sent screenshots of the SWAT men and the employees of the private company to their friends.

The politician’s wife reportedly used to be a major partner of the new Pasig City company although they have parted ways already. The initial report was that the SWAT men were from Batangas because the new company’s owners were from the same province

The picture brought trouble to the four SWAT commandos who have been ordered relieved from their posts pending investigation. The Eastern Police District said that an initial investigation showed that the four were conducting visibility patrol last June 22 on board a SWAT vehicle in Barangay San Antonio when they stopped in front of a bank.

A woman, later identified as an employee of a networking company, approached the mobile patrol and asked the SWAT Team members if they could join her workmates for a photograph at the soft launch event of their firm.

The four granted her request for pictures that were taken in the lobby of a nearby building. The EPD also said that the SWAT men declined the company personnel’s offer for them to have some snacks at the building’s 24th floor since they need to resume their mobile patrol.

Before leaving to continue their patrol, the team provided their contact number in case there is a need for police assistance or an emergency. However, without their knowledge and permission, the photos were shares on the company’s social media account that were then picked up by netizens.

I pity those SWAT men. However, could they have been attracted by the sight of beautiful women who asked them for a photo souvenir? Will they do the same if those women were unattractive? Call it young men’s habit hehehe.

By the way, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) time and again has reminded the the public of the responsible sharing of photos and videos containing personal data.

Under Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the processing or sharing of photos and videos containing personal information must have a lawful basis and must adhere to the general data privacy principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality.

Unlawful processing of personal data is a violation of the DPA with corresponding administrative fines and criminal penalties as may be applicable. The law says that sharing of photos and videos containing personal data on social media platforms, especially with sensitive personal information, can be exploited by malicious actors for identity theft, fraud, or other illegal activities.

Furthermore, sharing sensitive content online may expose individuals to cyberbullying, harassment, or stalking. In this regard, the NPC emphasizes the importance of respecting data subject rights, most especially in social media platforms. As individuals engage online, they must exercise caution and be responsible in safeguarding their own and other people’s data privacy rights.

CONTRATULATIONS TO PNP MEDICAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

On a personal note, I would like to congratulate officers and men of the PNP Medical Officers Association Inc. or PNP-MOAI who will be having their 1st year anniversary and general assembly on Thursday, July 4 at the Philippine Medical Association Physician’s Lounge in North Avenue, Quezon City.

The PNP-MOAI is a non-stock, non-profit, Affiliate Medical Society of the Philippine Medical Association and a newly-recognized and accredited Non-Governmental Organization composed of medical officers and specialists primarily from the PNP.

The group was organized to further strengthen the unity of PNP Medical Specialist and PNP Medical Officers in the Philippines and promote advancement in the field of medical science to become active contributors and participants in nation-building.

The PNP-MOAI is chaired by Colonel Cleto Manongas and has for its president, Lieutenant Col. Abigael Villanueva Daniel, the wife of my friend, retired Police Gen. Lito Daniel of PMA ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988.

Its trustees/advisers include retired Col. Louie Bautista of the Medical/Dental Department of the House of Representatives and my friend, retired Police Gen. Francisco Altarejos, a former director of the PNP Health Service who is now the mayor of San Jacinto, Masbate. ‘Doc Kito’ Altarejos, of course is one of the police force’s and country’s most famous orthopedic surgeons before he entered politics.

Other key officers of the PNP-MOAI are Col. Richard Credo, Lt. Colonels Ferdinand Lira, Shielda Chavez, King Medidas, Ryan Daya, Donato Lazaro, Leonell Garcia and Michael Allan Santos, Majors Christopher Jeffrey de Leon and Manuel Villanueva and Captain Ed Sheen Albo.

Congratulations and may your tribe increase.