Cops to use videocams during demolitions, protests

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to use video cameras during police operations to allow authorities to determine who started disturbances during demolitions or any civil operations.

Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, PNP deputy chief for operations, said the measure will protect both the police officers and civilians from harassment.

Veroza said the PNP leadership initially planned to distribute a video camera for each of the provincial police offices. He added that the police provincial director will let operation units in their area of responsibility use the video camera.

“The video camera would be used during mandatory execution for civil actions, like demolitions of squatters or illegal vendors,” Verzosa said recently.

He said the PNP has yet to allocate funds for the purchase of the video cameras.

Then Metro Manila police chief Vidal Querol equipped police officers with video cameras to document all activities during Labor Day in 2006. He said the pictures and video footage can be used in court. After the celebration, the PNP declared that the Labor Day celebration was generally peaceful and no violent dispersal occurred. – Cecille Suerte Felipe