TACLOBAN CITY – Police Regional Office-8 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad led the blessing and turnover of 54 4G high-definition body worn cameras (BWCs) in Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, on Wednesday.
Sixteen were given to the Ormoc City Police Office, 10 to the Tacloban CPO, five each to Leyte Provincial Police Office, Southern Leyte PPO, Samar PPO, and Eastern Samar PPO, three each to the Northern Samar PPO and Biliran PPO, and one to the regional headquarters.
Cumigad showcased the readiness of the Central Operations Area in support of fast, data-driven emergency response across Eastern Visayas.
To demonstrate operational readiness in line with the directive of the PNP chief Police Gen. Nicolas Torre III on the five-minute response time, a simulation exercise (SIMEX) was conducted for the media.
Comigad emphasized PRO-8’s commitment to faster police response through digital transformation, noting that citizens can now call 911 for immediate assistance.
He shared their plans to expand CCTV coverage on major highways and procure more POC (push-to-talk over cellular) radios, with priority given to highly urbanized cities (HUCs).
Despite not all units having body-worn cameras, Cumigad assured that the region remains fully monitored through radio communication systems.
“We will continue our program, using technology and training our personnel, to achieve the five-minute response time. That’s the kind of service we owe to the people of Eastern Visayas.”