By E. L. Torrecampo
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA)– Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 Director (PDEA R-6) Paul Ledesma applauded the plan to equip city villages here with Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) to keep track of the ongoings in both residential and commercial areas as a deterrent to crimes. However, Ledesma, whohas some reservations regarding the plan came up with his own proposal to have the CCTVs placed under a single and centralized entity like the city government or theIloilo City Police Office (ICPO). Another good option is the creation of a special task force which would have the responsibility of overseeing the entire surveillance operations.
The initial proposal to have the spy cameras installed inside baranggay halls still stands, but Ledesma reasoned that police response would be swifter if the CCTVswere managed by the policemen themselves. The idea behind his objection to have the surveillance cameras come under the command of baranggay councils is to avoidinterference by some officials who may have close relations with suspects caught on tape and could tip them off to avoid arrest. (PNA)