MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will no longer be allowed to present crime suspects to the public without the consent of the suspects' lawyers.

This was the new regulation announced by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas in a press briefing on Saturday, January 26.

Roxas said this was upon the recommendation of PNP Director General Alan Purisima. He added that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have also been consulted on the new policy.

"We need to balance the right of the public to know alongside the rights of the accused. This is a new regulation, and we will formally issue it this Monday (January 28)," Roxas said.

Roxas said the media also needed to secure interview requests with suspects through their lawyers. These interviews, however, will not be allowed while the suspects are still under police investigation.

The Secretary said those who are accused of committing crimes and who are in police custody will eventually be presented to the public during inquest and other legal public proceedings. - Rappler.com