THE use of body cameras by policemen is "encouraged", not required, during anti-drugs operations, based on the new guidelines issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the conduct of Oplan Double Barrel.
PNP director for operations Camilo Cascolan said it would be unfair to require the police to use body cameras if government could not provide the gadgets. Use of body cameras would, thus, depend on availability.
The supplemental operational guidelines of Oplan Double Barrel signed by PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa on Friday, January 19, states that “when available, the use of body camera and other gadgets to record all anti-illegal drugs operations is encouraged.”
Dela Rosa earlier heeded the call of human rights groups and other government critics for the use of body cameras during anti-drugs operations to promote transparency. He assured that some local government units (LGUs) have begun the procurement process for the gadgets.
Aside from the operational guidelines for Oplan Double Barrel, the PNP is also drafting separate guidelines for Oplan Tokhang. The guidelines have been completed and were awaiting Dela Rosa's signature.
Under Oplan Tokhang, policemen would visit personalities on their drugs watchlist and encourage them to stop their illegal drugs activities and turn themselves in.
This has, however, been associated with the killings of drug suspects and several innocent victims. It had also become a source of corruption since some policemen extorted money from those on the list in exchange for the removal of their names.
Dela Rosa earlier said he would make sure that Tokhang would be implemented properly this time. Tokhang was coined from the Visayan words "toktok" (knock) and "hangyo" (plead).
Policemen who have been implicated in illegal activities would not be allowed to participate in the implementation of Tokhang, Dela Rosa assured.
The police was twice stripped of its lead role in President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs. Duterte, however, has brought the police back in the campaign, although he has designated the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the lead implementing agency. (SunStar Philippines)