PNP yet to purchase P300M worth of body cams despite allocation

The PNP has yet to buy body cameras despite the allocation of funds for their purchase in 2018, PNP officer in charge Archie Gamboa said on Monday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras", the PNP has a budget of over P300 million for the purchase of body cameras.

“The demand for the body cameras came about in 2017. The funds were released 2018. Then from 2018, there were eight proponents. So bago ito na item sa PNP, so we have to come up with specifications, terms of reference,” Gamboa said.

The PNP OIC said it may take up to January next year before they choose a supplier of the body cameras.

“In the middle of the post qualification, I have found out that three of my men in the technical working group were asking money from the proponent so I caused them to be relieved from their position," Gamboa said.

"'Nung nagkaroon ng controversy, na-halt ‘yung post qualification,” he added.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who was recently appointed as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committe on Anti-Illegal Drugs, underscored the need to purchase body cameras for cops.

“Indispensable ‘yung body cams for many reasons. ‘Yung pinakauna, proteksyon ‘yun. Number 2, mas lalong proteksyon sa mga tao para kung ano talaga ang tunay na nangyari sa operasyon,” Robredo said.

The local government of Pasig City has already purchased body cameras for their cops.

All anti-illegal drugs operations in the city are now documented on camera.

“Hindi basta basta ma-doktor [ang footage] dahil kung ma-doktor, malalaman ‘yan ng mga technician ‘yan kung pinutol e,” said Pasig City chief of police Police Colonel Moises Villaceran. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News