Privacy agency warns PNP from profiling of pantry organizers

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) warned the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its Data Protection Office (DPO) on Tuesday not to describe the organizers of the community storage room.

The National People’s Congress said in a statement: “We must select the rights of data subjects, including the right to know and the right to object, fair and lawful collection of personal data.”

It said that the leaders of the PNP had “acted against illegal profiling” in the past and pointed out the possible interests of protecting citizens while in constant positions.

It requires PNP’s DPO to ensure that when necessary, the collection of personal information is completed with “transparency, lawful purpose and proportionality”.

The National People’s Congress said: “We are again concerned about the PNP-DPO’s attention to study these reports and take appropriate measures to prevent its personnel from doing any possible harm to citizens and violation of rights in the local area.”

It is generally encouraged to establish community food pantry during the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and pointed out that Filipinos “have the ability to unite and cause extraordinary things” in times of adversity.

The NPC representative said: “We must continue to work hard to build trust within and between communities.”

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Local Government and the People’s Party have denied reports that the organizers of the community food store have been questioned and investigated by the police.

Prior to this, several photos were all the rage on social media, showing that the police questioned the organizers of some community food in Metro Manila.