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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Manila police tap facial recognition tech to hunt down criminals

Manila police tap facial recognition tech to hunt down criminals

Published Feb 10, 2026 08:24 am
The Manila Police District (MPD) has begun implementing a high-tech intelligence and investigation system aimed at strengthening crime detection and law enforcement operations across the city.
Under the leadership of MPD District Director Gen. Arnold E. Abad, the police force is rolling out Project UIIC (Unified Intelligence and Investigation Center), a centralized, technology-driven database capable of identifying individuals through facial recognition.
MPD officials said the system is designed to work in tandem with the city government’s extensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) network, allowing authorities to quickly identify crime suspects captured on video footage.
Aside from CCTV images, photographs taken from mobile phones may also be verified through the system.
Once identified, police can determine whether a subject has a previous criminal record or pending warrants of arrest.
The Project UIIC has already been tested in various Philippine National Police (PNP) operations nationwide. In Manila, the system was recently utilized under the supervision of MPD Police Station 6 commander PLtCol. June Paolo Abrazado during a carnapping and hijacking incident involving a truck driver.
Based on a report from MPD Police Station 6, the suspects forcibly stopped the victim’s truck but were intercepted after the driver managed to reach a police outpost in Sta. Ana. Two suspects were immediately arrested during the initial police response.
The remaining suspects were later apprehended in a follow-up operation through CCTV backtracking and identification using the Project UIIC system, police said.
MPD officials said the high-tech platform aligns with the peace and order program of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and noted that further support from the city government would help expand its capabilities.
Authorities expressed confidence that the system will significantly enhance police response and investigation efforts, making it increasingly difficult for criminals to evade law enforcement in the city.

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