PNP to launch human rights mobile App on Monday

In the run-up to the observance of the international Human Rights Day on December 10, the Philippine National Police will launch on Monday a mobile application dubbed "Know Your Rights."

PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO), in a statement on Sunday, said that the launching on Monday highlights the kick-off ceremony of the PNP’s celebration of “National Human Rights Consciousness Week” with the theme: “Stand Up for Someone’s Right Today.”

HRAO head Police Chief Superintendent Dennis Siervo said that the “Know Your Rights” App can be downloaded from the Google Play Store by Android mobile device users.

With the App, all human rights advisories and policies that the PNP crafted, including the contents of the "New Miranda Warning Pocket Card" with anti-torture reminders, can be downloaded and stored in all android smart phones, Siervo said.

Once installed in a mobile device, the App can be accessed anytime, even without internet connectivity, by the police , especially field officers engaged in the intensified campaign of the PNP against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs who are in far-flung areas. 

Thus, Siervo said, the App equips PNP personnel with the right information and materials with which to advise citizens or persons placed under police custody of their rights under the law.

Likewise, the community can also download and install the App for easy access to human rights advisories and know their fundamental rights and police operational procedures and rules of engagement.

Republic Act No. 9201 otherwise known as the “National Human Rights Consciousness Week Act of 2002” declares December 4 to 10 as the country’s National Human Rights Consciousness Week. —LBG, GMA News