Unauthorized CCTV cameras installed in city to be probed

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has scrutinized the proposal of Councilor Dave Tumulak to regulate the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in public places to prevent unlawful activities.

Some members of the council were irked when the proposed amendment was presented during the regular session on Wednesday.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo said Tumulak’s proposal contradicts the city ordinance which encourages business establishments in Cebu to install CCTV to help deter criminalities.

Tumulak explained that the City’s Disaster Office received reports of several “unauthorized CCTV cameras being installed on the electric posts of Visayan Electric Company and telecommunication companies along the streets of two barangays in this city,” which the councilor refused to name for security reasons.

He is worried that these CCTV cameras might be used for “illegal motives” that would greatly imperil the lives of the general public.

“Criminal elements likewise have become sophisticated such that they may also use these CCTV cameras to monitor police movements to avoid detection of their unlawful activities,” he said.

Carillo said the CCTV cameras have to be removed considering that these are unauthorized devices.

“Unauthorized? Well, it has to be removed immediately if that is the case. Also, placing structures on public places is considered nuisance,” Carillo pointed out.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao, for his part, said it is not easy to just remove CCTV camera knowing that it plays a vital role in solving crimes nowadays. He suggested that the owner of CCTV camera must coordinate with the city government before posting the item on the posts.

Tumulak agreed, saying they need to determine first the owners of the said cameras.

“There is an imperative need to locate these installed CCTV cameras, trace and identify their owners in order to determine the legitimacy of the purpose of these devices,” he said.

Tumulak told reporters that Veco knows about these cameras, however, they don’t inject malice on the installed cameras believing that these are all city-owned devices.

Tumulak has directed all barangay captains and officials and requested Veco and telcos to render a thorough report of these unauthorized cameras installed on their properties to the City’s Disaster Office “for public order and safety.”

“This probably would take time considering the posts that need to be checked by the companies,” he said.

The council has deferred the proposed amendment to further evaluate and study.  (FREEMAN)