ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Rowena Niña Taduran underscored Friday, February 26 the urgency of installing closed circuit television cameras in all public places, saying that this was further emphasized by the bloody PNP-PDEA shooting near a Quezon City shopping mall on Wednesday.
This was gathered as Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, revealed that the first congressional hearing on the incident is scheduled on Monday, March 1.
Taduran said investigation into the incident would have been easily pinpointed who was at fault if there had been CCTV’s installed within the area where the two groups exchanged gunfire.
Two policemen, an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration and an informant were killed during the incident. Several others were injured.
Taduran said CCTVS should be placed in all electric light posts, particularly in national roads. These can be effective in crime monitoring and investigation, she stated.
Local government units can take care of other public roads in their jurisdiction, the lady solon added.
Under the Data Privacy Act, CCTV recording or footage can be retrieved and used when it is for responding to national emergency, or to comply with the requirements of public order and safety, or to fulfill functions of public authority which necessarily includes the processing of personal data for the fulfillment of its mandate.
Taduran also calls for a deeper investigation into the purported misencounter between the policemen and the drug enforcement unit. “I am calling the attention of law enforcement agencies to ensure proper coordination to avoid these unfortunate incidents and to prevent unnecessary injuries and loss of lives,” the patylist lawmaker said.