BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) reminded its personnel about the correct use of body cameras, particularly during the execution of search and arrest warrants, as well as during warrantless arrests.
“Our body-worn cameras should only be used during police operations. They should not be used for personal activities, such as casual conversations in the office,” PRO-6 spokesperson Major Mary Grace Borio told Panay News.
In 2021, the Supreme Court ordered law enforcement officials to wear body cameras during arrests. Even if the device malfunctions, the arrest remains valid.
“Failure to adhere to the guidelines for using body-worn cameras, or an alternative recording device, will not make the arrest illegal nor will it make the evidence collected inadmissible. The circumstances of the arrest can be verified through the testimonies of the arresting officers, the arrested individual, and other witnesses present during the arrest,” stated Section 5, Rule 2 concerning arrest warrants.
Conversely, as per Section 7, Rule 3 on search warrants, failing to use body-worn cameras or an alternative recording device without valid reasons during the execution of a search warrant will make the collected evidence inadmissible in the prosecution of the crime for which the search warrant was sought.
“If you fail to record properly, you will be held accountable because such recordings are presented in court,” added Borio.
Major Borio also said it is advisable to use a maximum of two body cameras for every operation.
At present, PRO-6 has an inventory of 240 body cameras.
The distribution of body cameras per police station is as follows:
NEGROS – 180
* Bago City Police Station – 12
* Cadiz City Police Station – 16
* Escalante City Police Station – 16
* Himamaylan City Police Station – 16
* Kabankalan City Police Station – 16
* La Carlota City Police Station – 16
* Sagay City Police Station – 12
* San Carlos City Police Station – 16
* Silay City Police Station – 16
* Sipalay City Police Station – 16
* Talisay City Police Station – 12
* Victorias City Police Station – 16
BACOLOD CITY – 16
* Mobile Patrol Unit – 2
* City Mobile Force Company – 2
* Police Station 1 – 1
* Police Station 2 – 2
* Police Station 3 – 1
* Police Station 4 – 1
* Police Station 5 – 1
* Police Station 6 – 1
* Police Station 7 – 1
* Police Station 8 – 2
* Police Station 9 – 1
* Police Station 10 – 1
ILOILO – 12
* Passi City Police Station – 12
ILOILO CITY – 16
* City Drug Enforcement Unit – 4
* Police Station 1 – 2
* Police Station 2 – 2
* Police Station 3 – 2
* Police Station 4 – 2
* Police Station 5 – 2
* Police Station 6 – 2
CAPIZ – 16
* Roxas City Police Station – 16./PN
