PNP on track to procuring body cameras

MANILA, Philippines — After more than a year of delay, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is finally about to procure body cameras for its personnel involved in anti-drug operations.

EVI Distribution Inc., a company based in San Juan City, was awarded the P288-million contract to supply body cameras for the PNP by 2020 after passing stringent requirements in the bidding process, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said EVI Distribution will supply the police force with around 2,700 body cameras.

Gamboa said the the PNP will not only procure body cameras but also a system that will allow complete system management, real-time live streaming and data storage and backup as well as  overall connectivity and monitoring.

Also included in the procurement are connectivity systems, accessories, video management software, computer servers and sufficient storage for the body-worn cameras.

A national management and monitoring center will be established as a data hub of the body camera system.

The PNP bids and awards committee (BAC) will assess the body cameras’ performance and conduct a final evaluation of the system before it issues a supply contract and purchase order this year.

The government earmarked funds for the procurement of body cameras for the police force in 2018 following allegations of abuses being committed by policemen in anti-drug operations. However, none of the initial bidders passed the requirements of the PNP.

The procurement process was also derailed by allegations that three police officers in the BAC this year extorted P5 million from a prospective supplier.