Council yet to approve changes in CCTV law

THE 17th City Council is yet to approve proposed amendments to the existing CCTV ordinance as more provisions are joined to add more teeth to this local policy.

Floor leader Councilor Tomas Monteverde IV said two councilors introduced additional amendments to the existing ordinance.

The two are Councilors Edgar Ibuyan Sr. and Victorio Advincula Jr.

Monteverde said Ibuyan wants the maximum penalty for violating the existing ordinance is a fine of P5,000 and revocation of business permits once the establishments fail to comply with the ordinance.

He said Advincula, on the other hand, wants higher resolutions for the CCTV cameras.

Ibuyan said the same penalty will also be given

against those who refuse to give the CCTV footage to the authorities, once a crime happens, for investigation purposes.

Monteverde said such amendment came after series of crimes transpire in the city.

He singled out the killing of the late Lawyer Emmanuel Acuña.

“We are not trying to intervene your private life. This is made to enhance police investigation,” Monteverde said during the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong yesterday morning at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Monteverde said the proposed amendment has been supported by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The ordinance will be a requirement in applying and renewing business permits. Recently, the killing of businessman Ramon “TY” Garcia, 67, had an expeditious solution with the help of the city’s high-resolution CCTVs installed in key areas.

The CCTVs tracked the killers of Garcia, that led to their arrest less than 24 hours after the businessman disappeared.

The existing ordinance requires all establishments in Davao with a minimum capitalization of P3 million and above, including banks, pawnshops, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and inns, educational institutions, hospitals and medical institutions, gaming cockpits and private transportations terminal operating land, air, and sea to install CCTV cameras. ANC