Barangay officials urged to install CCTV systems in their communities
Published May 20, 2018 12:38 pm
By Aaron Recuenco
Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), urged today the winners of the barangay elections in Metro Manila to invest on the installation of CCTVs (closed-circuit television) to strengthen the anti-drugs and anti-crime capability of the government.
(image from YouTube)
Cascolan explained that CCTVs have been repeatedly proven to be both preventive as criminals would not dare pull off their illegal activities in areas where cameras are installed and reactive as its recordings are usually being used in identifying criminals and eventually solving crime.
“We have been requesting for this to the barangays and local government units ever since I was the head of the Directorate for Operations because of the proven power of the CCTV as a reliable ‘eye’ of the law enforcement agencies against criminal elements,” Cascolan told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
“If every barangay in Metro Manila would install CCTVs, this would surely be a big help in maintaining peace and order since all criminals would think twice or even be discouraged to commit crimes knowing that they are being watched,” he added.
Covering the key areas of Metro Manila with CCTVs has been repeatedly pushed in the past, but would always fail due to budget constraints and issues of high cost of maintenance.
Security officials explained that the presence of CCTVs would minimize the conduct of beat patrol as policemen and other law enforcement agencies would just focus on immediate response on every crime being monitored in the CCTVs.
Cascolan said he would exert effort to encourage not only barangay officials but mayors in Metro Manila to install as many CCTVs and hope to complete full installation within his tour of duty as NCRPO chief.
Cascolan, who took over as the 41st NCRPO director on April 23, earlier said he wants to meet with winners of barangay elections to strengthen the partnership with the police.
“I look forward to working with them in making our region peaceful, progressive and drug free,” said Cascolan.
The official said that he believes the PNP could do more not only in crime-fighting but also in tapping barangay officials as augmentation forces in Metro Manila wherein big activities are usually being held.
In his first week as NCRPO chief, the Labor Day rally became the baptism by fire for Cascolan following the presence of more than 10,000 protesters which is way more than the number of protesters present in the past few years.
The Labor Day protest, along with the protest actions against the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, were deemed peaceful and orderly.
Other successful major events held during the first month of Cascolan were the Philippine’s hosting of the 51st Asian Development Bank Board of Governors Annual Meeting, the 400th Anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de San Sebastian on May 4 when approximately one million Catholic devotees joined the religious activity and the Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty attended by more than 1.6 million Iglesia ni Cristo members.
Cascolan said the cooperation of local officials and other groups is essential in law enforcement as what was proven when NCRPO operatives arrested a member of Maute Group identified as Unday Macadato in Cubao, Quezon City on May 7.
This, he said, was a result of intense cooperation between the police and Moslem community in Metro Manila, such as NCRPO assistance in the annual Tabitha Jamaat, which aims to revitalize Muslim’s firm belief in the Islamic Declaration of Faith, acquiring knowledge and devotion in Salaah. Ii was attended by 3,000 Moslems.
(image from YouTube)
Cascolan explained that CCTVs have been repeatedly proven to be both preventive as criminals would not dare pull off their illegal activities in areas where cameras are installed and reactive as its recordings are usually being used in identifying criminals and eventually solving crime.
“We have been requesting for this to the barangays and local government units ever since I was the head of the Directorate for Operations because of the proven power of the CCTV as a reliable ‘eye’ of the law enforcement agencies against criminal elements,” Cascolan told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
“If every barangay in Metro Manila would install CCTVs, this would surely be a big help in maintaining peace and order since all criminals would think twice or even be discouraged to commit crimes knowing that they are being watched,” he added.
Covering the key areas of Metro Manila with CCTVs has been repeatedly pushed in the past, but would always fail due to budget constraints and issues of high cost of maintenance.
Security officials explained that the presence of CCTVs would minimize the conduct of beat patrol as policemen and other law enforcement agencies would just focus on immediate response on every crime being monitored in the CCTVs.
Cascolan said he would exert effort to encourage not only barangay officials but mayors in Metro Manila to install as many CCTVs and hope to complete full installation within his tour of duty as NCRPO chief.
Cascolan, who took over as the 41st NCRPO director on April 23, earlier said he wants to meet with winners of barangay elections to strengthen the partnership with the police.
“I look forward to working with them in making our region peaceful, progressive and drug free,” said Cascolan.
The official said that he believes the PNP could do more not only in crime-fighting but also in tapping barangay officials as augmentation forces in Metro Manila wherein big activities are usually being held.
In his first week as NCRPO chief, the Labor Day rally became the baptism by fire for Cascolan following the presence of more than 10,000 protesters which is way more than the number of protesters present in the past few years.
The Labor Day protest, along with the protest actions against the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, were deemed peaceful and orderly.
Other successful major events held during the first month of Cascolan were the Philippine’s hosting of the 51st Asian Development Bank Board of Governors Annual Meeting, the 400th Anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel de San Sebastian on May 4 when approximately one million Catholic devotees joined the religious activity and the Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty attended by more than 1.6 million Iglesia ni Cristo members.
Cascolan said the cooperation of local officials and other groups is essential in law enforcement as what was proven when NCRPO operatives arrested a member of Maute Group identified as Unday Macadato in Cubao, Quezon City on May 7.
This, he said, was a result of intense cooperation between the police and Moslem community in Metro Manila, such as NCRPO assistance in the annual Tabitha Jamaat, which aims to revitalize Muslim’s firm belief in the Islamic Declaration of Faith, acquiring knowledge and devotion in Salaah. Ii was attended by 3,000 Moslems.