32 CCTV cameras set up on busy EDSA intersection

Thirty-two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay City to combat crime in the area and to ensure the safety of at least one million commuters who pass the area every day.

 

At the launching of Project Safe Cam at the Kabayan Hotel in Pasay City on Friday, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said the Pasay rotunda area was considered as one of the crime hotspots in Metro Manila due to the volume of commuters passing through.

 

"Sa aming estimation, isang milyon ang dumadaan sa Pasay rotunda araw-araw, at dahil maraming tao, diyan rin nagtutungo ang mga masasama kasi marami silang mabibiktima rito," he said.

 

He stressed that the project aims to make the heavily crowded area as a safe zone with the help of the CCTV cameras.

 

"Kung may reklamong krimen na gustong i-track ng kapulisan, mayroon tayong recording," he said. "Prevention rin ito kasi sinong magtatangkang gumawa ng isang krimen dito kasi naka-record lahat ng mga gawain dito."

 

Aside from the installation of CCTV cameras, also included in the project is the establishment of "taxi safe zones."

 

"Halimbawa, call center agent ka, madaling araw, sasakay ka ng taxi, pauwi ka na, kung dito ka sasakay, naka-record, masasabing safe ka kasi alam ng taxi driver na naka-record siya rito," he said. "Kung magtatagpo kayo ng sundo mo, dito nakalagay, kasi naka-record. Hindi kayo masa-snatch, hindi kayo masalisi."

 

For his part, National Capital Region Police Office director Carmelo Valmoria said the cameras would not only capture criminals, it would also prevent police officials in the area against extortion activities.

 

"I am confident that with this project, we would be able to intensify our advocacy of transparency and right demeanor of our police," he said.

 

Meanwhile, Roxas also assured that the digital footages would be stored for at least three months, and could be pulled out for review for free upon request.

 

"Libre lang naman iyan dahil digital iyan, pwede pa nga i-akyat sa Youtube," he said.

 

He said that the cameras, worth P650,000, had capabilities such as zoom-in to read license plate numbers and recognize facial features.

 

The project is funded by the Philippine National Police and private organization Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.

 

Roxas said that this is only the initial part of the project, as they are also planning to install CCTV cameras in six other locations.

 

These areas are:

1. University Belt area;

2. Monumento area;

3. MRT North EDSA station, West Avenue area;

4. EDSA Cubao, Aurora Boulevard area;

5. Redemptorist area (Baclatan)

6. De La Salle University, Taft area

 

"I just want to make sure na medyo trial ito e," he said. "Gusto nating alamin kung ang pag-zoom ba nito, maayos, ang light capture ng camera ay tama para sa pagbili ng mga susunod na mga camera ay tutugon sa availability light."

 

"Ang plano diyan, kung ano mang camera ang mailagay diyan, makukuha ang facial recognition ng mga taong ito," he added.

 

Meanwhile, asked about the future of the project should he need to step down from his post, Roxas refused to answer and just said: "Handang-handa po tayo na tugunan ang CCTV project na ito, buong NCR, para kung ganon, doon natin mailalagay sa katiyakan sa seguridad ng ating mga kababayan."

 

For his part, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto welcomed the project.

 

"Ito ay makakatulong sa pag-solve ng kriminalidad at iba pang dapat ma makita ng ating mga kapulisan at ito ay napakalaking tulong hindi lang sa ating lungsod, kun'di pati sa buong kababayang Pilipino na dumadaan at sumasakay dahil isang milyong tao pong dumadaan dito at maco-cover ng CCTV cameras," he said. -NB, GMA News