PDEA issues rules on use of body cameras in anti-drug ops

Agents and witnesses particularly media representatives shall mandatorily wear body cameras. (PNA photo)

MANILA — In line with the efforts to ensure transparency in the conduct of the anti-illegal drug campaigns, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has issued guidelines on the use of body cameras during anti-illegal drug operations.

PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said that as far as practicable, use of body cameras is encouraged and media should be invited to cover anti-drug operations, especially for high-impact operations.

The guidelines issued in the conduct of anti-drug operations are as follows:

• Agents and witnesses particularly media representatives shall mandatorily wear body cameras;

• All media representatives shall likewise wear bullet proof vest, ballistic helmets and other protective gears. Their safety and security shall be ensured by the Ground Commander;

• All media representatives may be allowed to get actual footage of the anti-drug operations and maybe allowed to enter target areas simultaneously with the operating units;

• The Ground Commander shall collect the body cameras after the anti-drug operation;

• The video, or any portion of it, generated during the operation shall never be edited, cut, spliced, or deleted, otherwise, the Regional Director shall be answerable;

• The media may be provided with the whole video footage upon request; and

• All video footages generated during anti-drug operations must be saved in separate folders in the computer or laptop. The footages shall likewise be archived.

The guidelines were issued to ensure adherence of the operatives to the operational procedures, and to avoid the negative perceptions on the drug operations conducted, Aquino added.