De Lima opposes Sinas' advice discouraging filming of crimes

Senator Leila De Lima on Wednesday opposed Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas' advice to the public not to take photos and videos of ongoing criminal acts.

"Why discourage the public from taking videos and photos? Para palabasin na lang na nanlaban ang mga biktima at makatakas sa pananagutan sa batas ang mga patay nang patay? Para poproblemahin na lang ng mga abusadong awtoridad ang pananakot at pagpapatahimik sa ibang mga testigo?" De Lima said in a statement.

"Sangkaterba na nga ang kaso ng mga karumal-dumal na krimen na sangkot ang mga pulis, puro pa rin kayo 'isolated case'?!" she added.

After the video footage of Police Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca shooting two unarmed civilians, Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday sparked public outrage, Sinas advised the public to refrain from taking photos and videos in similar situations, saying this could imperil their lives.

De Lima pointed out that if not for CCTV footage, the death of Kian delos Santos, the 17-year-old student who was killed by police, could have been just part of mere statistics in the drug-related killings under the administration.

The senator added that the netizens' videos and photos of "public gatherings, mañanitas and karaoke sessions" involving government officials amid the COVID-19 pandemic have also been helpful in demanding accountability.

"Under this regime which weaponizes the law to harass and silence dissent, it is necessary for us to be vigilant through the use of CCTV, video footages, and witnesses to keep rogue State agents from planting evidence or outright murder," she said.

"Kaysa takutin at pahinain ang loob ng mga gustong tumulong at maglahad ng katotohanan, dapat silang suportahan at proteksyunan," she added.

De Lima urged her colleagues in the Senate to approve bills that would protect the public from possible abuses in the hands of law enforcers.

Senate Bill No. 1073, which she filed last year, seeks to preserve evidence generated from security cameras owned and operated by government offices and covered private establishments. —KG, GMA News