ACTING Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday said that policemen securing the three-day anti-corruption protest of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and other groups will be using body-worn cameras to ensure full transparency and accountability in the conduct of crowd management.
This measure aims to assure both protesters and the broader public that police actions will be recorded from start to finish in line with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that police engagements are properly documented, professionally executed, and grounded in respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
Nartatez also said the use of body-worn cameras ensures that every interaction is documented.
‘This strengthens public trust that the PNP is committed to lawful and respectful policing,’ he said.
Nartatez also explained that body-worn camera recordings will play a crucial role in addressing any allegations of misconduct, provocation, or operational lapses that may emerge during the protest.
Amid the expected heavy turnout and widespread online activity surrounding the INC protest, Nartatez stressed the importance of having reliable, verifiable recordings.
‘The footage will help us correct false claims and present what truly happened,’ he noted.
To guarantee smooth implementation, the PNP has ordered all field units to complete operational readiness checks such as covering battery life, storage capacity, device integrity, and activation protocols.
Monitoring teams have also been deployed to ensure that cameras remain active during crowd control operations, checkpoints, and the handling of complaints or security concerns.