Dad moves to install CCTVs; x-ray machines

COUNCILOR Leonardo Yangot is batting to require business establishments to provide CCTV cameras and x-ray machines in their baggage counters.

The measure is to ensure safety as well as preventive measure to deter transport of illegal drugs and weapons covering all malls, department stores, groceries and convenient stores

Yangot said “Illegal drug traders in the country has now come up with the innovative ways as malls, department stores, groceries, convenient stores and other similar business establishments are now being used as their medium of operation. No less that PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino revealed the new modus operandi of transmitting illegal drugs using malls, groceries and similar establishments with baggage counters and this modus was successful since illegal drug transfers from one hand to another became unnoticed since baggage counter attendants do not mind memorizing the faces of people who drop and retrieve the baggage so long as they have claim stub for the baggage.”

The Yangot law states the provision of the CCTV cameras and x-rays machines in baggage counters is one of the ways to help deter the possible criminal offences like drug trades. CCTV cameras are effective means of ascertaining the identity of the suspected drug dealers or couriers while x-ray machines will immediately determine if there are illegal shipments being deposited in baggage counters like deadly weapons and drugs.

“In view of all the foregoing, in pursuit on an intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances, there is a need for an integrated system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies, programs and projects.”

If the proposed law is approved all malls, department stores, groceries, convenient stores and other simi-

lar business establishments operating in the City of Baguio will be required to provide CCTV cameras and xray machines in their baggage counters.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance shall cause the non-renewal of permit to operate of the concerned business.