Wearing should be required: SC asked to penalize cops’ failure to use body cams

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has been urged on Tuesday (May 18) to have the Supreme Court (SC) put place rules which would slap penalties and invalidate search warrants should law enforcement fail to properly use body cameras.

In a letter addressed to Gesmuindo, a group of human rights defenders and family members of slain and arrested activists proposed, among its numerous proposals, that “rules on the issuance of search warrants be amended with additional practical and effective safeguards, based on abundant xperience on the ground, to ensure strict compliance with constitutional requirements and due regard for the fundamental right against unreasonable search and seizure, right to privacy, and right to personal liberty.”

With this, Gesmundo has been asked to include in the high tribunal’s directive in the use of body cameras that provides that “violations of strict guidelines on their use should automatically render any search and seizure irregular and void.”

“Strict penalties should likewise be employed for any violation of these guidelines by State forces,” the group said.

“Requiring the active presence of independent witnesses during the actual search, similar to those in buy-bust operations would also contribute in addressing the above concerns,” it added.

Those who signed the letter include Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes, Karapatan secretary-general Christina Palabay, Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary-general Raymond Basilio, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Ronaldo Adonis, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos, Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees president Santiago Dasmarinas Jr., Cordillera People’s Alliance chairperson Windel Bolinget, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Metro Manila chairperson Raymond Palatino, and Innabuyog-Gabriela advisory council member Beatrice Belen.

The group sent the letter in response to the call of the SC to lawyers who themselves and their clients experienced harassment “to file the necessary motions in pending cases, petitions or complaints so that the necessary ‘revision or institutional change’ may be assessed to “efficiently and effectively further protect our basic rights.”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)