Metro cops to use CCTV cameras in poll ‘areas of concern’

Behave, you're on camera! This is the message of Metro Manila police to potential election troublemakers and cheaters, as it moved to reposition some of its closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to potential “areas of concern" in the metropolis in the coming May polls. Under existing laws, the police are barred from entering polling centers, unless summoned by election officers in charge of an area or in cases of actual violence or violations of election laws. “However, the prohibition does not prevent us from enhancing our capability to monitor the polling centers using our cameras," National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Director Roberto Rosales said in an article on the NCRPO website. But he quickly assured candidates and voters that the plan only covers monitoring the general peace and order situation in the polling centers. This will not be used to monitor their right of suffrage, including their right to choose their candidates, he stressed. Instead, he said it may even deter prohibited acts in polling precincts during Election Day like campaigning and bringing firearms to the polling precinct. On the other hand, Rosales said the CCTV plan will push through despite initial security assessments showing a remote possibility of violence from taking place in any of the 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila. Rosales said the repositioning of the CCTV cameras will complement the continued enforcement of a gun ban that started last January 10. Also, he said the NCRPO will use its state-of-the-art Regional Tactical Operations and Intelligence Center (RTOIC) to monitor certain areas that would pose certain security concerns. Rosales added he will coordinate his plan with Commission on Elections – Metro Manila director Michael Dioneda, through the Joint Security Coordinating Center.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV