PNP to launch e-subpoenas

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to launch its e-subpoena program as part of the effort to ensure higher rates of conviction in criminal cases.

The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) – composed of the justice and interior secretaries, the chief justice and the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief – are expected to attend the launch tomorrow.

The Supreme Court has allowed subpoenas to be sent online, part of a process of improving trial procedures being undertaken by the JSCC.

The JSCC has discussed the benefits of using the Internet to make the judicial process more efficient.

With the SC’s approval of sending subpoenas through electronic, courts and government prosecutors all over the country may start issuing electronic subpoenas or e-subpoenas tomorrow, after the judiciary and law enforcement agencies synchronize their respective systems.

The PNP has been exploring the use of the electronic technology. Before the e-subpoena, the police force has started filling up the e-rogue gallery database to allow police stations to access records of criminals nationwide. The PNP is also working on its e-blotter database.

The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) reported that some 91,000 names of persons with criminal records have already been encoded in the e-rogue database since the system was established two years ago.

The e-rogue system is being planned along with e-warrant, wherein all arrest warrants issued to the PNP will also be stored in a database that could be printed and used in arresting fugitives.

In its report, the DIDM said a total of 109,009 persons were arrested during police operations in 2013. The total number of wanted persons was not immediately available.

Of the total number of arrested persons, the DIDM said 37,129 individuals have standing warrants of arrest for various offenses while the others were arrested as part of hot pursuit operations and while committing crimes.