Manila: Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos and Abra Rep. JB Bernos on Thursday called on their colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass House Bill No. 6530, which mandates the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers during their operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, this appeal follows the Senate's approval on March 16 of its counterpart version, Senate Bill No. 1908. The Senate bill requires personnel from the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to wear body cameras during operations.

HB 6530, also known as the Body Cam bill, aims to institutionalize and standardize the use of body cameras in all anti-illegal drug and other law enforcement operations, ensuring that every action is properly documented and verifiable. The measure establishes clear protocols for the use, storage, and disclosure of recordings, while also providing strong safeguards to protect the privacy rights of individuals in compliance with the 1987 Constitution and the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Rep. Ching Bernos emphasized the importance of the bill in curbing abusive conduct during law enforcement operations while protecting the rights of both citizens and law enforcement officers. She stated, "This measure is a concrete step to prevent abuses such as illegal searches, unlawful arrests, and extrajudicial killings that undermine the principles of law and justice and erode public confidence in our institutions tasked with upholding peace and order."

Bernos also highlighted that enacting the law would support the broader implementation of existing national directives on the use of body-worn cameras. The Supreme Court first institutionalized the use of body cameras in 2021 with its Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations. However, Bernos noted that implementation has remained limited and inconsistent due to the administrative nature of the directives and the lack of full legal authority and budgetary support for nationwide deployment.

Meanwhile, Rep. JB Bernos expressed optimism about the Philippine National Police's announcement of the expected delivery of 17,000 body cameras in May. "Hopefully, we can procure enough body cams for all units across the country," he said.