By Aaron Recuenco
From now on, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will no longer be presenting arrested crime suspects in press conferences in compliance with an old memorandum prohibiting it due to human rights concerns.
The decision of the PNP leadership is a complete turnaround from the practice that was revived two years ago wherein arrested suspects would be lined up for video and photo opportunities of the media.
Journalists were informed of the decision when they inquired as to why the arrested erring policemen and other arrested civilians were not presented on Monday’s press regular conference.
On Sunday, journalists covering Camp Crame were notified that Albayalde would lead the presentation of scalawag policemen who were arrested by the Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) and operatives of the Quezon Provincial Police Office in separate operations.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde cited an old memorandum issued in 2008 which reiterates that presentation of arrested suspects should not be done because it would violate the suspects’ constitutional right of presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of law.
“Yes, there’s an old memorandum regarding that,” Albayalde said when asked if the PNP will no longer be presenting arrested suspects.
“We just want to (implement) the policy that no suspects would be paraded,” he added.
Last week, Albayalde led the presentation of Bulacan policemen who were arrested for extortion and the live-in partner of Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo ‘Ardot’ Parojinog.