Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Bato Dela Rosa expressed support for taking videos and photos of crime incidents as documentation could be used as strong evidence.
This is after Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas discouraged the public from taking videos or photos of criminal activities as this could endanger one’s life.
“Well, may posibilidad po talaga na magkaroon ng … kumbaga danger doon sa buhay noong kumukuha ‘no. Pero ganoon pa man ‘no, nandiyan po ang teknolohiya para mapabilis po ang paglilitis noong mga lumalabag sa batas,” said Roque, explaining this is why authorities set up CCTVs in the streets.
(Well, there is a real possibility that there is a… supposed danger in the life of those documenting a crime. But even so, there is technology to speed up the trial of those who break the law.)
“So sa akin po, mas mabuti pa rin na nagkaroon tayo ng ganiyang video dahil napakadali pong patunayan ang pananagutan nitong pulis na ito dahil i-authenticate lang po iyong video na iyan kung sino ang kumuha at puwede na pong matanggap iyan bilang ebidensiya,” Roque said.
Roque, Bato supports taking videos, photos of crime incidents
(So for me, it is still better for us to have such a video because it is very easy to prove the responsibility of this police officer because the video only needed to be authenticated like who caught the video and it could be accepted as evidence.)
Former PNP chief and now Senator Bato Dela Rosa also noted the importance of documenting crimes as they happen.
“Nasa tao na ‘yan kung gusto niyang mag-video, if he or she is willing to take the risk na baka siya na naman ang babalingan ng shooter,” said Dela Rosa.
(It’s up to the person if he wants to take a video if he or she is willing to take the risk that the shooter might turn on him.)
“Video recording of crimes happening before your eyes is very useful in criminal investigation. It is a great help to police investigators,” he said.
Jonel Nuezca was caught on video shooting his neighbors, mother and son Sonya and Frank Gregorio in Paniqui, Tarlac.