BI targets immigration officer body cameras by year-end

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday said it aims to deploy body-worn cameras to its officers by year-end, a move seen to help in investigation on complaints against its personnel.

“Undergoing na po ang procurement and we are hoping that by the end of the year, magagamit na po ito at madedeploy na po ito sa atin pong mga tauhan,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in a televised public briefing.

[Translation: Procurement is ongoing, and we are hoping that by the end of the year, we can already use these and deploy it to our employees.]

Sandoval said cameras will have a livestream feature that would enable the Office of the Commissioner to monitor real-time on-the-ground events.

“Maiiwasan po natin ‘yung mga complaints about illegal actions, halimbawa nung mga employees o ‘di kaya naman po hindi mabuting pakikitungo ng ating mga empleyado,” she said.

[Translation: We can avoid complaints regarding illegal actions of employees, for instance, on their inappropriate behavior.]

The BI earlier said body cameras will be used by secondary inspectors. It set aside ₱16 million for the purchase of devices.