The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognises the recent issuance of the Supreme Court’s resolution outlining the guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras in the serving of search and arrest warrants.

The Commission fully supports the creation of a legal framework to effectively implement the use of body-worn cameras during police operations.

We have high hopes that this newly introduced technology to law enforcement and criminal justice system will result in better transparency and accountability, and thus may improve public’s trust in law enforcement legitimacy. Likewise, we push for the use of body-worn cameras as a preventive measure to reduce lethal force during police operations; to achieve improved resolution of complaints; and more effective evidence in judicial proceeding.

Alongside the potential benefits of body-worn cameras, law enforcement must remain mindful of the future challenges, especially on data management and privacy concerns, involving the use of the technology as this has been an unexplored area in our law enforcement and criminal justice system. The CHR underscores that the implementation of the guidelines must always comply with human rights standards and principles in rolling out this innovation.

We also look forward to the improvements in training and organisation policies related to the use of body-worn cameras at the Philippine National Police (PNP) as committed earlier by PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. CHR sees the preliminary rollout of body-worn cameras as a step towards the right direction as it serves for both the protection of citizens and our police force. At the same time, noting the limited number of body-worn cameras, we echo the call for partnerships and donations by the PNP so that more police operations may benefit from this innovation and close gaps in its implementation.

Highlighting the need to protect civil rights and civil liberties while enforcing the law, the Commission, for its part, shall study the matter and adjust our policies according to the Supreme Court guidelines to better respond in investigating cases of human rights violations. ###