FILE PHOTO
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 32 surveillance cameras in high-density areas to help deter crimes and arrest the criminals.
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas led the launching of Project SAFE KAm, which will utilize closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras initially installed in busy areas in Pasay City.
The first 32 cameras, costing P650,000, were installed at the Pasay Rotunda, located at the corner of Edsa and Taft Avenue, in Pasay City.
Earlier, the PNP said the Pasay Rotunda is one of seven crime-prone areas in Metro Manila, where the project will be implemented.
The other areas are the University Belt area in Manila, Monumento, MRT North Edsa Station-West Avenue, Edsa Cubao-Aurora Boulevard, Redemptorist in Baclaran and De La Salle University on Taft Avenue.
The surveillance cameras were installed to serve as the “eyes” of authorities in walkways and footbridges at the busy intersection.
The images will be captured in real time although the monitoring will be done through digital recording playback.
Roxas said nearly a million people pass through the Pasay Rotunda every day and the surveillance cameras will come in handy for policemen deployed in the area.
The interior secretary also announced the designation of “safe taxi zones” where surveillance cameras will be installed to monitor commuters hailing cabs.
The cameras will make it easier to identify the taxi license plate number and the face of the driver and passenger in cases of crimes or incidents involving cabs.
“This will be a tool for the quick arrest of the perpetrator and make him accountable,” Roxas said.