App reads accused’s rights during arrest

CEBU CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has gone high-tech in making arrests and informing the rights of the accused.

Officers are now required to use the “PNP Know Your Rights” mobile application when making arrests and conducting police operations.

Launched December 8 last year, the appl can be downloaded for free through Google Store.

“Instead of the traditional Miranda Warning booklets, police will now be using this mobile app using their smartphones,” said Chief Supt. Dennis Siervo, chief of the Human Rights Affairs Office in Camp Crame.

Siervo said then PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa ordered the use of the app.

“We are checking the compliance of the order. Failure to comply may lead to filing of administrative charges,” warned Siervo in a press conference Wednesday at the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Headquarters.

The app contains the rights of the accused and anti-torture reminders.

It also carries guidelines for conducting checkpoints, search, civil disturbance management and custodial investigation.

Since the app can be downloaded by anyone, human rights violations can be prevented during police operations.

“This will not only empower the police but also the public when it comes to human rights,” said Siervo.

Once downloaded, the app can be opened even without Internet access.

The app features Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese languages.

“The Tagalog version was translated by no less than the Commission on Filipino Language,” said Siervo.

And to prevent miscommunication when foreigners are involved, the app also has an audio translation.

Coming up with the app also helped the PNP save funds.

“In 2016, the PNP spent almost half a million pesos in printing 90,000 to 100,000 Miranda Warning booklets. For this app, only R150,000 was spent and that already includes future updates,” said Siervo.