CCTV cameras a must in all San Juan banks
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:44:00 02/04/2008
Filed Under: Robbery, theft
MANILA, Philippines -- Effective immediately, all banks in San Juan City must install close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their establishments to curb robbery incidents and help the police identify suspects.
City Ordinance 14-2007, which was passed recently by the City Council, requires all banks to have video surveillance devices within their premises.
Councilor Dante Santiago, the author of the ordinance, said the equipment would deter bank robberies and aid the police in their investigation.
“With the use of video cameras in and outside of their place of operation, the banks can record all persons coming in and out of their premises and monitor the goings-on inside,” Santiago said.
He noted that crime syndicates have become daring in their operations, often using high-powered firearms in their heists.
With the use of CCTVs, police investigators would have an easier time piecing together information about the suspects, Santiago added.
Under the ordinance, the bank should store their daily video recordings for at least 15 days for review and reference purposes. After 15 days, the recordings would be destroyed unless their preservation is required by a court order, the local police or the city mayor.
The ordinance also ordered bank officials to give police and investigators access to their recordings. Only those authorized by the San Juan police chief, however, would be allowed to view the video footages.
Santiago warned that it would be unlawful for any person to allow the unauthorized or unofficial use or viewing of any saved video-recording and the unauthorized public identification of any person or client seen in the video, except in the case of a complainant or a victim.
Those who violate the ordinance would be fined P5,000, plus face a month-long suspension or the revocation of their business permit and license to operate.
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