CHR raises concerns over PNP human rights mobile app

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday raised concerns over the newly-launched mobile application of the Philippine National Police (PNP) dubbed as "Know Your Rights," saying such requires a number of information that may affect the privacy of a person.

At a press conference, CHR chairperson Chito Gascon said that while they understand the intention of the police force, the commission would still continue to monitor the said mobile app as it might be "violative" of the public's rights to privacy.

"Nabigla kami at nagkaron ng concern dahil bagamat siguro well intention na maglabas sila ng bagong app about Miranda Rights and 'Know Your Rights' eh ang publiko ay magdownload nito ay kailangan magbigay ng masyadong maraming impormasyon," Gascon said.

"So nag-raise kami ng concern na baka itong app na nilabas ng Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) that we presume in good faith [and] was well intention are violative of certain guarantees with respect to rights to privacy and we also raised questions about whether this could be a mechanism for the police to even deepen its ability to monitor the activities and actions of private persons. So we will monitor that as well," he added.

GMA News Online has sought the reaction of the PNP on the CHR's concerns but has yet to respond as of posting time.

Human rights advisories and policies and also the contents of the "New Miranda Warning Pocket Card" with anti-torture reminders are included in the app.

The app which was launched on Monday is not  just designed to cater to policemen but can also be downloaded by civilians through Google Play for Android smart phones. — RSJ, GMA News