Solon proposes installation of CCTV cameras on all public roads

MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Friday proposed the installation of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) on all public roads to help prevent crimes and help in the investigation of criminal acts and other events.

ACT-CIS Rep. Rowena Niña Taduran said CCTVs should be placed in all electric light posts, particularly on national roads, for more effective crime monitoring.

Taduran noted that local government units can take care of other public roads in their jurisdiction.

She made the proposal in light of the alleged “misencounter” between operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) near a mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City Wednesday afternoon.

“Kung mayroong CCTV sa public roads, madali nang maisasagawa ang imbestigasyon sa mga pangyayari, tulad ng sinasabing misencounter sa pagitan ng QCPD [Quezon City Police District] at PDEA (If there are CCTVs on public roads, then the investigation of certain events like the misencounter between the QCPD and PDEA could run smoothly),” Taduran said.

She also suggested removing the requirement of a court order to access CCTV footage, especially from private establishments, as it could be essential in crime investigation.

“Kung mayroon tayong mga CCTVs sa public roads, hindi na kailangang manawagan ni PDEA Director Wilkins Villanueva sa publiko na ipadala sa kanyang Facebook page ang mga cellphone videos ng insidente para makatulong sa imbestigasyon (If only there are CCTVs on public roads, PDEA Director Wilkins Villanueva won’t have to appeal to the public to send to his Facebook page cellphone videos of the incident that would aid in the investigation),” she said.

Under the Data Privacy Act, CCTV recording or footage can be retrieved and used when it is for responding to national emergency, or to comply with the requirements of public order and safety, or to fulfill functions of public authority which necessarily includes the processing of personal data for the fulfillment of its mandate.

Taduran also called for a deeper investigation into the purported misencounter between the policemen and the drug enforcement unit.

“I am calling the attention of law enforcement agencies to ensure proper coordination to avoid these unfortunate incidents and to prevent unnecessary injuries and loss of lives,” she said.