“By the time na bumalik ang ating mga estudyante sa schedule ng eskwela in June or middle of June, ‘yung tinatawag na ‘University Belt’ ay mako-cover na ng PNP ng CCTV cameras,” Roxas told reporters after the blessing of newly-acquired patrol jeeps at Camp Crame.

(By the time students return to school in June or middle of June, the so-called ‘University Belt’ will be covered by PNP CCTV cameras.)

The “University Belt” is where many colleges and universities are located. Roxas said CCTV coverage will not be limited to the schools themselves but will also include residential areas in the immediate vicinity.

“‘Yung ating mga estudyante na nasa University Belt will all be under the CCTV anti-criminality and safety coverage. Napakagandang programa ‘yan dahil napakarami sa ating mga estudyante ay nagiging biktima ng mga salisi gang, ng mga pickpocket, ng mga magananakaw,” said Roxas.

(Our students in the University Belt will all be under the CCTV anti-criminality and safety coverage. This is a good program because a lot of students fall victim to different modus operandi, pickpockets, thieves.)

Roxas, who sits as the chairman of the National Police Commission, had earlier unveiled plans to require national chains to install CCTV cameras as part of the country’s anti-criminality efforts.

The PNP in 2014 unveiled “Oplan Lambat-Sibat,” a systematic approach to crime-solving and prevention in the National Capital Region (NCR). Part of the plan is to install CCTV cameras inside police stations to monitor crime reporting.

“Malaking bagay ito na masasabi natin na safe zone na ito na kung andyan ka makukuha ka ng CCTV kaya ‘wag ka nang mag-isip ng kahit na anong panloloko o pagpi-pickpocket dahil makukuha at makukuha ka nung CCTV,” said Roxas.

(This is a big deal because we can finally say that this is a safe zone because you have CCTV cameras monitoring you, so don’t even think about doing something illegal or pickpocketing because you will be caught on camera.)

While he did not reveal more details about the CCTV plan for the University Belt area, Roxas said that the “pilot” for the new cameras will be the corner of Taft Avenue and EDSA, through donations from the business sector. – Rappler.com

CCTV camera image via Shutterstock