CHR: New PNP rule on police blotters violates right to information

MANILA, Philippines -The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to "review, reexamine and recall" its new policy limiting media access to police blotters, saying it violates the right to information. Radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported that CHR chairwoman Leila de Lima questioned the PNP's arguments that the policy was meant to protect the privacy of complainants and suspects. De Lima reminded the PNP hierarchy that the police blotter is considered a public document, and restricting access to it is a violation of the right to information which is enshrined in the Constitution. She ordered the PNP to "review, reexamine and recall" portions of its policy, including that which required journalists to seek permission from "pertinent officers" to view the blotter's contents. Earlier, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome defended the blotter policy, saying it was merely "misunderstood." Bartolome also said they are toying with the idea of a two-blotter system where a second blotter will be dedicated to cases with "confidential" information. - GMANews.TV