MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan Party‑list Rep. Chel Diokno has raised concerns over the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) handling of suspect information, accusing law enforcement of misapplying the Data Privacy Act to withhold the identities of individuals linked to criminal investigations.
Diokno on Tuesday challenged the PNP’s decision to keep the name of a gunman involved in a condominium basketball court shooting in Parañaque City from the public. In a video posted on his Facebook page, the lawmaker questioned why authorities cited Republic Act 10173 — the Data Privacy Act — to justify nondisclosure.
“They are bending the use of the law to protect a few individuals,” Diokno said, referring to the police’s rationale. He noted that the 59‑year‑old suspect was at large at the time and yet his identity was not revealed by investigators.
Diokno argued that the PNP’s reasoning misinterprets the law. He pointed to Section 4 of the Data Privacy Act, which lists situations where the law does not apply — including information necessary to carry out law enforcement functions — and thus can be disclosed publicly.
“Our investigation must review the PNP’s practice of selectively and incorrectly withholding names of suspects under the guise of the Data Privacy Act,” Diokno added.
The PNP has yet to respond to the request for comment on this matter. GMA News Online said it is reaching out to the police for a statement.
Authorities earlier arrested the suspect in the Parañaque shooting that left two people dead and others injured. Police said he was allegedly provoked by noise and taunts from the victims at the site of the incident.
