BI: Body cameras to arrive by yearend

MANILA, Philippines — Body cameras meant for immigration officers assigned at airports would arrive by the end of the year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday.

The first batch of body cameras would be sent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to be used during secondary inspection, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in a TeleRadyo interview.

“In case there would be an investigation or if there is a need for clarification, we could easily see what happened,” she said.

The body cameras would have a livestream feature that can be remotely accessed by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco from his office in Manila, according to Sandoval.

The BI earlier announced that it is set to purchase P16 million worth of body cameras that could also be used to also monitor the activities of BI personnel assigned at international airports.

“Body cameras will ensure that our immigration officers are effective and remain accountable for their actions as law enforcers,” Tansingco earlier said.

“It would be easier for us to investigate complaints of misconduct with the use of body cams. It would also remind our officers to always be professional in the conduct of their duties,” he added.

Protection

Requiring immigration personnel to use body-worn video cameras while on duty is a welcome development, primarily because it will prevent unscrupulous officers from taking advantage of passengers in airports, an opposition lawmaker said yesterday.

“The donning of body cameras will provide an accurate recording of events whenever an international traveler comes into contact with an immigration inspector. It will protect both the passenger and the officer,” House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said.

He said the use of body cameras for secondary inspectors is a “highly responsive move to take advantage of reform technology and foster absolute officer transparency and accountability in the performance of duties.”

“In fact, it will also lessen the liability of inspectors,” the 4Ps party-list representative added.

Libanan served as BI commissioner for three years during the administration of former president and now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and introduced the installation of closed-circuit television cameras at all airport immigration areas and counters in 2008.

Secondary inspection allows the BI to conduct additional research on an international traveler in order to verify information without causing delays for other arriving or departing passengers.

At a port of entry or exit, when an international traveler’s information cannot be readily verified, the passenger is usually directed to an immigration interview area for secondary inspection.