Bomb-hit Mindanao provinces want more CCTVs installed

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Authorities of the Central Mindanao region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are now calling for the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in strategic areas due to bombings and crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding assassins.

“It’s about time to prod local government units to initiate the installation of these CCTV cameras to facilitate identification of crime suspects,” said Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Mindanao.

“The frequent bomb-find and explosions have created fears among residents,” said Khu.

Chief Supt. Mario Avenido, the newly installed police chief for ARMM, said the presence of CCTV would be “one of the modern approaches in resolving crimes in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

Avenido said requiring local government units to have their own CCTV monitors in crime-prone areas would “enhance police investigative work.”

Witnesses have yet to surface and help the police in investigating the recent bomb attacks and shootings to hit North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato.

Just last week, police had to grapple with several shootings and bomb explosions in this city.  Several people were hurt.  The most recent bomb attack was at the ARMM complex that houses various regional offices.

Alarmed by the surge of attacks, ARMM Acting Governor Mujiv Hataman ordered tighter security in the regional compound.

Abdulrashid Ladayo, ARMM director for intelligence and security, said Hataman has approved the immediate installation of at least 50 CCTV units within the ARMM compound.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu also sees the importance of CCTV in strategic areas in the province, especially since the ARMM election is forthcoming.

Mangudadatu, who survived two bomb attacks, said he would require the installation of CCTVs in all the 36 towns of his province.

In the absence of a provincial board resolution to carry out the plan, “in the exigency of the project,” Mangudadatu has expressed his willingness to use the provincial capital outlay for the purpose.

He said five to 10 CCTVs for each town would serve as an initial security measure that would also help monitor day-to-day activities, including the 2013 elections.

Here in the city, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. is also inclined to buy the CCTVs, which he described as the “public eye.”

He said authorities saw the need for more CCTVs arose after recent crime events were not captured by the earlier installed 15 cameras in the city.