MANILA – Malacañang has refuted Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas after the latter discouraged the public from taking videos of crime incidents, saying this could put the witnesses at risk.
In his virtual press conference on Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said such videos and documentations might help speed up the resolution of cases. However, he admitted that those might put the life of the witness in danger.
“Well, may posibilidad po talaga na magkaroon ng danger doon sa buhay noong kumukuha. Pero ganoon pa man nandiyan po ang teknolohiya para mapabilis po ang paglilitis noong mga lumalabag sa batas,” Roque said.
Roque also noted that this was the reason policemen were encouraged to have body-worn cameras during their operations.
“Nandiyan po ang teknolohiya para mapabilis po ang paglilitis noong mga lumalabag sa batas,” Roque said. “Kaya rin po tayo napakadaming CCTV sa lansangan para makita natin kung sinong gumagawa ng krimen lalung-lalo na iyong issue ng identification.”
Sinas earlier asked the public to refrain from posting videos or photos on social media, adding that they should just present them to authorities.
“I think nasa mga tao po ‘yun, sa mga witness na kumuha (ng video and photos). I will not advise because very tricky ‘yun. Baka mamaya kumuha ka ng video tapos baka mababalingan ka, so sa inyo po ‘yun,” Sinas said.
The reminder came after a policeman shot his unarmed neighbors in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday./PN
