Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday expressed support for proposed measures mandating the use of body-worn cameras during law enforcement operations.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the Committee on Finance, PNP Information and Communications Technology Management Directorate Director Brig. Gen. Engelbert Soriano stated that the measures reflect a broader policy shift toward modern policing. Soriano emphasized that these measures are part of a significant national dialogue concerning transparency, accountability, and public trust, which are essential to modern policing.
Soriano highlighted the police force's backing for the use of body-worn cameras in police operations, with exceptions for covert activities where the visibility of recording devices could compromise operational security and personnel safety. He stressed the necessity for clear operational guidelines to enable frontline officers to effectively use these devices.
The PNP has approximately 2,200 body cameras procured in 2019 and has ordered an additional 17,454 units for 2025, with delivery expected in the first week of May 2026. Each unit costs about PHP32,000 and will be distributed across all regional police offices and national headquarters units, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Police Drug Enforcement Group.
The hearing, presided over by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, reaffirmed the Senate's commitment to enhancing law enforcement agencies through sustained budgetary support and policy reforms. This includes recent increases in subsistence allowance and funding for the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Senator Raffy Tulfo, author of Senate Bill No. 86, reiterated his advocacy for the mandatory use of body cameras, citing instances where police operations faced scrutiny due to insufficient evidence. Tulfo described a body-worn camera as serving both as a "sword and shield."
