CPPO official: CCTVs in police stations noble proposal, but…

CEBU, Philippines - The top official of the Cebu Provincial Police Office welcomes the resolution filed by a provincial board member appropriating P1 million for the purchase of closed-circuit television cameras for police stations and jail facilities.

CPPO director Noel Gillamac said the measure, which was proposed by PB member Carmen Ivy Durano-Meca, is a noble one and they will comply with its provisions once approved and implemented.

The resolution aims to ensure that “torture and other acts of maltreatment committed by police officers on suspects in their custody, as well as cases of suicides, self harm and violence,” are prevented.

Further, installing CCTV came-ras in the police stations and jail facilities can “provide reliable records of the initial reception, booking-in and detention of detainees, record the condition and demeanor of detainees,” said Meca in her proposal.

She added that the resolution would compensate the problem especially on the lack of police personnel in each police station.

If the resolution is approved, all police stations will be required to set up CCTV cameras in the interrogation room, lock-up and detention cells.

Police station officers who shall fail to comply will be fined P5,000 and imprisoned for 30 days.

While he welcomes the move, Gillamac said it would be better if the security cameras are installed in major thoroughfares, financial establishments, and areas of convergence in Cebu in order to deter criminals.  

Installing cameras at the police stations will send a wrong signal to the police officers that they are being watched instead of watching criminals, Gillamac added, while stressing they will abide once the proposal gets implemented. — (FREEMAN)