October 12, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has expressed alarm about leaks in the electronic warrant system that may compromise ongoing investigations.
As the integration of information technology between the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) progresses, concerns about IT interoperability among various law enforcement agencies – including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police (PNP) –have come to the forefront.
Remulla emphasized the need for robust safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosures of warrants.
“The warrant will be issued to the requesting agency, with an embargo period of six to eight hours unless coordinated efforts are made,” he explained.
The measure aims to minimize the risk of leaks that can jeopardize operations and investigations.
When asked about the impact of these leaks, Remulla acknowledged that there have been several instances of complications arising from such issues.
Although he refrained from citing specific cases, he stressed the urgency of addressing the problem: “It’s not just about catching those responsible now; it’s about preventing future leaks.”
The leaks have raised significant concerns regarding operational security, particularly when leads are compromised, allowing suspects to evade capture.
Remulla underscored that the lead agency must retain primary control over information to mitigate these risks.
As the newly installed interior secretary settles into his role, Remulla continues to coordinate closely with former DILG secretary Benhur Abalos and is set to meet with the PNP command to further discuss strategies.
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