Rama: Remove ‘illegal’ CCTVs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the removal of unauthorized closed-circuit television cameras placed in public places in the city starting today.

He said that cameras placed just anywhere in public places should be considered unauthorized and intended for questionable purposes.

“I want these unauthorized CCTV cameras to be removed immediately tomorrow (today),” the mayor said.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who first raised the alarm over unauthorized CCTVs, said yesterday morning his team spotted 15 unauthorized CCTV cameras in the different parts of the city. A few days ago they discovered three of such devices.

“Wala pa nato tangtanga.  Maghuwat lang ta sa mando sa mayor.  Kun dili gani sila mo-remove kita’y mo-remove (We are waiting for the mayor’s instruction so we did not remove them yet.  If  the owners would not, then we will be the one to do so),” Tumulak said in an interview prior to the mayor issuing the statement to the media.

He said they know how to establish the identities of the owners of the CCTV cameras by tracing the IP addresses.

“Daghan man kaayo ta’g IT experts nga maka-trace ani  nila so naa lang tay gisuwayan pag ila (We have IT experts who know how to trace the owners), especially the IP addresses ani nila, kay ma-trace man diin gikan sa computer diin gikan so ma-trace nato,” Tumulak said.

He said, though, that the city will give enough time for the owners to either remove the cameras themselves or coordinate with the city government.

He is asking the owners to coordinate with them as soon as possible.

“Og kinsa ning mga (Whoever own the) CCTV cameras, at least makatabang ni sila (they could help). Og private individuals ni sila mas maayong mo-report sa atong command control center para dili nato sila mapasanginlan nga dautang tawo (so we would not think they are people of questionable character),” Tumulak said.

“Magamit ni siya og naay dautang plano, mahimo kaayo  kay makita man niya ang mga (The cameras could be used in monitoring the coming of) responding policemen,” he added.

Tumulak said the CCTV cameras would also help the Philippine National Police in their investigation.

The city is currently waiting for reports from the respective barangay captains with regards to the CCTV cameras installed in their respective jurisdictions.  (FREEMAN)