Jonathan Frederic De Santos

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Special Operations Group–Task Force for Road Clearing conducts an operation on June 25, 2026. MMDA photo

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784109528375728937490_2095842200972086_2726174239301075128_n.png.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Special Operations Group–Task Force for Road Clearing conducts an operation on June 25, 2026. MMDA photo</div>MANILA — The National Privacy Commission is reminding the public that taking photos or videos of individuals without consent may be covered by the Data Privacy Act of 2012, as a person&#x27;s face is considered personal information.The reminder came after an MMDA operation involving Special Operations Group-Strike Force head Gabriel Go, apprehended a teacher for not wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle.The apprehension was recorded and the video later uploaded to Go&#x27;s social media account despite the teacher&#x27;s request not to be recorded.NPC Deputy Privacy Commissioner Jose Amelito Belarmino said recording videos may form part of the official duties of law enforcement and traffic enforcement personnel.However, uploading or processing those videos is a separate matter and must have a lawful basis under the Data Privacy Act.He acknowledged that the video may have been recorded and uploaded to teach the public about following road safety rules.&quot;Kailangan &#x27;yung pagproseso niyo dapat eh neccessarily, kailangan po yung pagproseso niyo proportionate sa purpose niyo. Kung ang purpose po nila ay maturuan &#x27;yung publiko dun sa videos nila, hindi po ba iyon maaachieve sa mga instructional video?&quot;(The processing should be proportionate to the purpose. If the purpose is to educate the public through the videos, would that not be achieved with instructional videos?)Belarmino added that if the subject of the video had objected to it being uploaded, that may be a privacy violation even if the face had been blurred.The NPC said unauthorized processing of personal data may carry penalties of one to six years&#x27; imprisonment and fines ranging from P500,000 to P4 million under the Data Privacy Act.<div> </div><div>TDC: TEACHER HAD OBJECTED TO BEING FILMED</div>Meanwhile, the Teachers&#x27; Dignity Coalition (TDC) criticized Go&#x27;s conduct during the operation, adding the teacher had expressly objected to being recorded.&quot;Parang double standard eh. Pag &#x27;yung mga maliiit, &#x27;yung mga mahihirap ay napakabrusko nung kaniyang approach,&quot; TDC National Chairman Benjo Basas said of Go.(It seems like a double standard. When he is interacting with ordinary people, with the poor, he is so aggressive.)Go was in hot water in 2025 after he <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/1/mmda-gabriel-go-a-good-man-may-face-sanctions-over-incident-with-policeman-1451">berated a police captain over a parking violation</a>. He eventually apologized.Basas also said the teacher felt that his rights had been violated.The MMDA said it has already received a complaint regarding the incident and that investigations are underway.&quot;We already received a complaint. We also received a call from Manila Teachers’ Partylist Rep. [Virgilio] Lacson. Already referred the matter to our administration department for investigation,&quot; said MMDA Chairman Don Artes.

NPC Deputy Privacy Commissioner Jose Amelito Belarmino said recording videos may form part of the official duties of law enforcement and traffic enforcement personnel. However, uploading or processing those videos is a separate matter and must have a lawful basis under the Data Privacy Act.

NPC Deputy Privacy Commissioner Jose Amelito Belarmino said recording videos may form part of the official duties of law enforcement and traffic enforcement personnel. However, uploading or processing those videos is a separate matter and must have a lawful basis under the Data Privacy Act.

NPC reminder: Taking, uploading content without consent may violate privacy

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NPC reminder: Taking, uploading content without consent may violate privacy

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 15, 2026 06:05 PM PHT

Read More:

National Privacy Commission

Data Privacy Act

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Gabriel Go

Teacher's Dignity Coalition

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