SC rules on body cams for cops out soon

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) will soon release the governing rules on the use of body-worn cameras in a bid to aid the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the requirements in applying for arrest, search and seizure warrants.

In a statement, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said they assured PNP chief Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar that they took into account the delicate balancing act of ensuring an individual’s constitutional rights as far as arrest, search and seizure are concerned.

“We assure you that the courts will do its part in ensuring that the constitutional rights guaranteed under the Constitution, as well as your responsibilities and duties as law enforcers, are properly considered and balanced,” Gesmundo said during a recent courtesy call by Eleazar.

“We try to achieve that balance so that the end goal is we do not disregard the constitutional rights of people, but at the same time, the law enforcers are also given adequate leeway to effectively discharge your functions,” he added.

The rules being drafted by the SC on the use of body-worn cameras during operations of law enforcers also provide conditions that judges will require whenever they grant applications for warrants, which law enforcers must comply with.

Gesmundo said Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen was the one who drafted the rules. He said all the justices have individually and collectively given their comments and suggestions to ensure the balance between protecting an individual’s rights and ensuring unhampered PNP operations.

He said that they would also make an arrangement with the Philippine Judicial Academy, the SC’s judicial education arm, to provide training for all those involved in the implementation of the rules, including the PNP.