It’s meant to protect a suspect’s identity…
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently released blurred mugshots of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his constituents which then led to netizens raising questions and concerns about transparency and consistency in handling high-profile suspects.
Many netizens commented that the blurring seems to be an attempt to shield Quiboloy from further public scrutiny, especially due to his high-profile status and wide connections. This choice then led to the public believing that there is a special treatment given by the police force. Several online activists also added their own thoughts in, calling for an investigation into the PNP’s practices and urging for reforms to ensure that all suspects, regardless of their status, are treated equally under the law.
The Truth Behind the Blurred Images
In response to the backlash, the PNP shared that the decision to blur the mugshots was made in accordance with their existing protocols, specifically in line with the Commission on Human Rights which is intended to protect the privacy of individuals in legal proceedings. They said that the blurring was not meant to hide the identity of the suspects but rather to adhere to privacy and security concerns.
To address the issue, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) decided to release the uncensored versions of the photos to symbolize their transparency to the public amidst the request of Quiboloy and the other suspects to keep their faces covered.
In your opinion, Sugboanons, should the practice of blurring photos in legal cases be a standard, or should it be re-evaluated on a case-by-case basis to maintain fairness and transparency? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
