66 spy cameras to be installed in Pasig

MANILA, Philippines - At least 66 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed this month in commercial centers in Pasig City, an official said yesterday.

“With the CCTV cameras, we can monitor the streets and go after criminals after a short notice,” Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales said, adding that all mayors in Metro Manila have expressed their support for the program.

Rosales said the CCTV cameras in Pasig City will be hooked up to the Regional Tactical Operations and Intelligence Center (RTOIC) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on Feb. 15.

The RTOIC has a situation room where significant events or major police operations can be monitored and appropriate police actions directed.

The first of its kind in the country, the RTOIC is a state-of-the-art police command, control and communication center. It serves as the main monitoring hub of all police operations in the metropolis, with a support of global positioning system, and online real-time verification of vehicle registration from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), alarm record of vehicle from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and warrant of arrest information from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The CCTV system of the cities of Manila, Quezon, and Taguig are already connected to RTOIC.

Rosales said Navotas City has opened the bidding for its CCTV camera project while other cities in northern Metro Manila have passed an ordinance requiring business establishments to arm themselves with such a device.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa promised to provide funds for the installation of GPS tracking devices on all patrol cars in Metro Manila.

Rosales said that he expects to finish the procurement process and installation of GPS transceivers on all patrol cars before the end of February 2010, in time for the international conference of the Special Non-Aligned Movement (Special NAM) Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development from March 16 to 18.

Rosales will head the overall security task group created by the PNP for the Special NAM, which will be attended by heads of state and officials from 118 member countries and 18 non-member countries, as well as representatives of nine foreign organizations. – Non Alquitran