TO EDUCATE the public about their rights and proper police procedures, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a mobile application for Android phones.
Chief Superintendent Dennis Siervo, the Human Rights Affairs Office chief, said Wednesday, May 30, that the "Know Your Rights" app can be downloaded at Google Play Store for free.
"We are also empowering the community when it comes to human rights," he said.
All police personnel, Siervo added, are required to download the app. An administrative complaint will be filed against personnel who failed to do so.
The app, which cost P150,000 and launched last December, features Miranda Warning, human rights advisories, rights of persons arrested, detained or under custodial investigation, and information about the app.
The Miranda Warning was translated into 10 major Philippine languages -- Filipino, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Bikol, Hiligaynon, Waray, Cebuano and Tausog.
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino helped the PNP in the translation.
Siervo said the warning was also translated into Taiwanese, Korean, Chinese and Japanese languages.
"In all PNP operations, they have to read the Miranda Warning, the rights of the accused," he said.
The police official said they mandated their personnel to read and memorize the doctrines and police procedures, so as not to bungle cases.
"Once the complaint is dismissed because of technicality, it is to the detriment of the victim," Siervo said.
He said the PNP also has an app on wanted persons.
He said the PNP is now making use of technological advancement to inform the public and to also minimize cost. (KAL/VoxPop Cebu)