Manila: Policemen securing the three-day Iglesia ni Cristo-led anti-corruption protests will be using body-worn cameras to ensure full transparency and accountability in the conduct of crowd management, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. In a statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez emphasized that this measure is intended to assure both protesters and the broader public that police actions will be recorded from start to finish.

According to Philippines News Agency, the use of body-worn cameras aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as communicated through Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla. This initiative aims to reinforce public confidence in law enforcement by ensuring that police engagements are properly documented, professionally executed, and grounded in respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

Nartatez stated that body-worn camera recordings would be crucial in addressing any allegations of misconduct, provocation, or operational lapses that may arise during the protest. “Kapag may reklamo, agad naming rerepasuhin ang footage. Ang body-cam ang magsisilbing malinaw na ebidensya kung maayos at patas ang aming naging operasyon (When there is a complaint, we will immediately review the footage. The body-cam will serve as clear evidence of whether our operation was fair and orderly),” he said.

Amid the anticipated heavy turnout and widespread online activity surrounding the protest, Nartatez highlighted the importance of having reliable, verifiable recordings. “Sa panahon ngayon na mabilis kumalat ang maling impormasyon (In this day when misinformation spreads quickly), the footage will help us correct false claims and present what truly happened,” he added.

To ensure the smooth implementation of this measure, the PNP has directed all field units to complete operational readiness checks, including assessments of battery life, storage capacity, device integrity, and activation protocols. Monitoring teams have also been deployed to ensure that cameras remain active during crowd control operations, checkpoints, and the handling of complaints or security concerns.