The national police leadership admitted the inadequacy of body-worn cameras that are now required in service of warrants, following Supreme Court rules but assured that cops find ways to comply with the guidelines.

The SC’s Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants took effect last weekend upon publication in two newspapers of national circulation. This means that police service arrest and search warrants must have at least two recording devices in their operation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Police General Guillermo Eleazar said: “Ngayong epektibo na ang mga alituntunin na inilabas ng ating Korte Supreme tungkol sa paggamit ng body-worn cameras, agad naglabas ng kautusan ang inyong PNP ng Memorandum Order sa lahat ng ating commendaers na sumunod sa patakarang ito.”

But the PNP chief admitted that they do not have enough body-worn cameras for their personnel.

“Hindi sapat ang aming body-worn cameras but in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I trust that our commanders will find ways to comply with the [SC’s] guidelines on the use of body-worn cameras,” he said.

Under the SC guidelines, the recording devices must be turned on during the service of a search or arrest warrant, and a copy of the video will be submitted to the court upon return of the warrant.

Eleazar added that they have already sought the SC’s help in implementing the guidelines.

“Ito ay hindi lamang para sa proteksyon ng mga karapatan ng ating mga kababayan kundi proteksyon din ng aming hanay laban sa maling haka-haka at alegasyon sa isinasagawa naming operasyon,” he also said.