Barangays to check mystery behind CCTVs

AYUMAN

THE Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) will ask its members to be on the lookout for closed-circuit television surveillance cameras in their communities that may be used by criminal elements in their nefarious activities.

“I will ask our fellow barangay captains to verify within their areas of responsibilities if there are CCTVs being used by gangs,” said ABC board member Ramil Ayuman.

Ayuman, who is also the barangay captain of Apas, said most CCTVs installed in utility poles and along roadsides in his barangay are within the Cebu IT Park. However, he said he will also initiate an inventory in major streets in his barangay.

“Theres a big possibility they (gangs) will resort to counter any measures initiated by police authorities and private establishment,” he said.
Legislation

Councilor Dave Tumulak, who also chairs the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council CDRRMC) said the information coming from the barangay captains will be useful as they craft appropriate legislation to address the problem.

“After we identify and find out the purpose of CCTVs in streets, I will draft an ordinance banning private individuals and groups to put CCTVs in public places,” Tumulak said.

Private establishments and households may still be able to install CCTV cameras  within their property limits.

“We already received reports of areas where there are CCTV cameras not owned by government or Telcos. But we still can’t divulge where these areas are because they might try to counter our plans,” he said.