PNP encourages use of body cams in anti-illegal drug ops

The Philippine National Police is encouraging its men to use body cameras and other gadget during anti-illegal drug operations.

The eight-page PNP supplemental operation guidelines and adherence to policies on anti-illegal drugs campaign signed by PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on January 19 states, “when available, the use of body camera and other gadgets to record all anti-illegal drugs operations is encouraged.”

Dela Rosa earlier said they were still waiting for funds for the procurement of body cameras.

He said he will require his men to use body cameras in every operation once the police organization is able to provide the gadget.

“Underlying diyan is you cannot enforce what you cannot provide so right now hindi pa ako nakapag-provide sa kanila ng body cam dahil nga request natin for the procurement of body cameras is still pending in Congress,” Dela Rosa said in an interview in December.

At present, only Pasig City cops utilize body cameras after the local government procured the same and distributed it to the Police Community Precincts and the Special Reaction Unit.

The supplemental guidelines intends to clarify, expound, and strengthen the procedures based on assessments, observations, and evaluations undertaken.

The different PNP offices and units such as the Directorate for Operations, Directorate for Intelligence, Directorate for Intelligence and Detective Management, Directorate for Police Community Relations, Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, and Internal Affairs Service were given different tasks “to have a strong, comprehensive , airtight, and focused anti-illegal drugs operations.”

The guidelines states that rule of law shall always prevail during the conduct of operations and respect for human rights shall always be observed at all times.

The one-strike policy will be implemented.

The chief of police will be relieved if one of his men is arrested and charged for involvement in illegal drugs.

The provincial director will be removed from post if she or she fails to initiate operations on drug dens and laboratories found under her or his jurisdiction or when two of her or his chiefs of police were relieved due to drug issues.

The regional director will be relieved  when two of his provincial directors or city directors are removed due to drug related issues.

The guidelines said one drug enforcement team shall be established in the regional, district, provincial down to municipal and station levels only, consisting of only eight members. The DEU members should be pass the stringent screening and thorough background investigation and shall be at least five years in service.

It also stated that all the PNP personnel involved in anti-illegal drug operations must possess a tickler at all times.

It said the tickler must contain the unit and individual police officer’s functions with daily evaluation and remarks by each PNP personnel and monitored and reviewed by the team leader.

It added the handling and chain of custody of pieces of evidence gathered or collected shall be observed at all times to avoid contamination.

It further said that injured suspects shall be brought to the hospital for immediate medical treatment and those who died in police operations are still subject for onsite inquest proceedings.

The guidelines said an adjudication body or board shall be established to investigate all alleged unverified derogatory information against personalities included in the drug watchlist and the speedy delisting of the PNP personnel found not involved as alleged.

It stated random drug test shall be conducted at least once a year or as needed.

It said all personnel found positive in drug test shall be assigned at the Police Administrative and Holding Unit and the administrative cases filed against them shall be resolved in 60 days.

All detained police personnel due to illegal drugs shall be ordered automatic leave of absence and their administrative case shall also be resolved in 60 days.

A separate guidelines for the conduct of Oplan Tokhang is yet to be released as it has yet to be signed by Dela Rosa. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News