Oicial says PNP only has 2,700 body cameras

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said only around 2,700 police officers have been issued bodyworn cameras.

The figure is less than 10 percent of the PNP’s requirement of 45,000 body-worn cameras, PNP Public Information Office chief Police Brigadier General Red Maranan said in a radio interview.

The body cameras are to be used by police to record incidents during the execution of search or arrest warrants.

Maranan admitted that the number of officers with body-worn cameras is “very, very limited,” adding that “our requirement for that is something like 45,000, but we only have 2,700.”

Maranan said that the PNP is targeting to procure more body cameras next year. The PNP, he said, has requested the budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

He related this to the case of six police officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas City who did not wear their body cameras at the time of the operation.

“We have proven that the policeman involved had a body camera issued