CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has urged the City Council to require business establishments to install high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras with facial recognition capabilities, saying the technology would significantly strengthen crime prevention and investigation efforts in the city.
MCPO Director Police Col. Cirilo Acosta Jr. said the quality of CCTV footage plays a critical role in identifying suspects and tracking their movements, stressing that clearer and more advanced video systems could greatly improve law enforcement operations.
Acosta said the proposal was in line with directives from Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Evangelista Abad, who encouraged the MCPO to seek the support of the City Council in modernizing the city’s surveillance requirements.
He added that Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano had likewise directed local authorities to adapt to evolving technologies.
“Our ordinance, I think, already needs to be modified. The suggestion of our regional director is to introduce new technology,” Acosta said.
According to the police official, the city’s existing ordinance governing CCTV installation and regulation should be updated to accommodate emerging technologies and strengthen public safety measures.
Among the proposed amendments is the inclusion of facial recognition systems, particularly in large commercial establishments.
“For example, facial recognition should already be introduced so we can easily identify who entered a premises and determine whether any of them are persons of interest whenever a crime occurs,” Acosta explained.
He noted that advanced surveillance systems would enable investigators to quickly identify individuals entering and leaving establishments, allowing authorities to trace suspects more efficiently.
The MCPO is also encouraging private establishments to upgrade to high-definition CCTV cameras, saying poor image quality often hampers investigations.
Aside from improving camera quality, Acosta emphasized the need to streamline police access to CCTV recordings during criminal investigations.
“We hope access for the police can be expedited because in criminal investigations, time is of the essence. When a crime happens, immediate access can help solve the case more quickly,” he said.
Acosta disclosed that investigators often encounter delays in obtaining footage from private establishments, which can impede efforts to identify suspects and reconstruct incidents.
He noted that some establishments require additional documentation before releasing recordings to authorities.
“That’s what we are asking from the Sanggunian—to help fast-track the process,” Acosta said, stressing that any changes should remain consistent with existing laws and privacy regulations.
The police director underscored the importance of CCTV footage in tracking suspects’ movements.
“If we are tracing the route taken by personalities involved in a crime and an establishment refuses to provide footage, our investigation trail is cut off. That becomes a problem,” he said.
In response, Councilor Joel Seno, chairman of the Committee on Laws and Ordinances, said the City Council has begun reviewing the city’s existing CCTV ordinance.
Seno noted that the current measure has already undergone revisions and generally complies with prevailing technological requirements. However, he acknowledged the need to require more advanced surveillance systems.
“Sometimes CCTV cameras are installed but fail to clearly capture faces or even vehicle plate numbers,” Seno said.
He said the council would revisit the ordinance to determine what amendments may be necessary to improve its effectiveness.
While many private establishments already comply with CCTV installation requirements, Seno said there remains room to enhance both the technology being used and the implementation of the ordinance.
The proposed amendments are expected to form part of the city’s broader efforts to strengthen public safety and improve the capability of law enforcement agencies to prevent and solve crimes.
| Written by Kristin De Dios/FPL
