By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the effort to effectively fight crime and prevent potential abuses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday revealed that it has requested the procurement of an additional 4,000 body-worn cameras next year.
In 2021, the PNP launched a body-worn camera system for the police to ensure transparency and legitimacy of law-enforcement operations.
However, the PNP claimed their current supply of the device remains a challenge at only nearly 3,000 units.
“For 2024, I understand ay merong additional na at least nasa around 4,000 ata ‘yung request namin na kasama sa budget. Hopefully by next year ay ma-fulfill na ‘yung kaunti nating variant. Hindi man ‘yung kabuuan ng 45,000 pero at least, base sa huling budget hearing, ay kasama sa 2024 budget ‘yung procurement ng additional body-worn cameras,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
She lamented that the police force now only uses a total of 2,956 body cameras — far from the ideal number of at least 40,000 to 45,000.
Fajardo said that since there is a very limited supply of body-worn cameras, the PNP has prioritized its distribution to personnel in police stations, as well as its national operational support units like the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Drug Enforcement Group, Anti-Kidnapping Group, and Anti-Cybercrime Group.
“‘Yung isang unit lamang ng camera would cost more than P135,000, kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Kasi hindi lang siya isang camera, kasama doon ang program, ‘yung docking station, ‘yung GPS capability niya, at internet at SIM capability niya,” the PNP spokesperson disclosed.
(IAmigo/MNM)
