Bacolod top cop urges bizmen to install ‘high-end’ CCTV cameras

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police Colonel Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), is pushing for the installation of high-end closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in business establishments here to aid the police force in their anti-criminality campaign.

Biñas said a CCTV with high definition feature can help them in their investigation, especially in identifying the perpetrators.

Biñas said most establishments here have CCTV cameras but some have low definition feature, which makes it difficult for them to recognize the facial features of persons involved in crimes.

CCTV cameras can really help, but if it does not have a good quality feature, it is useless, he added.

He also pointed out that police may encounter hindrances due to insufficiency of evidence and lack of witnesses, but if there’s CCTV, it can at least give them lead in their investigation.

In fact, Police Station 2 personnel are checking copies of CCTV camera footage installed in nearby establishments to help them investigate the killing of Ernest Baker, 67, an antique dealer, who was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants at Barangay 7 last Friday.

Police are looking into business-related or personal as possible motives behind the killing of the said businessman.

Police Captain Leo Estopa, head of Police Station 2, said they are still gathering copies of CCTV footage because some need to seek the approval of managers first for the viewing, but he noted that they are cooperative.

A case conference along with the intelligence operatives, and investigators were conducted at the BCPO headquarters yesterday to discuss the details of the case and to evaluate if there is a need to form a task group.

Biñas said he received information that the victim had previously requested for security due to threats, but he considered it unconfirmed report as of the moment, as investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Biñas assured the business sector that they are on top of the situation, after the latter expressed concern, following the killing of Baker.

“It is very unfortunate that a case like this happened, but rest assured that BCPO is trying its best for justice to prevail and to prevent the recurrence of the incident,” he said.

Binas said he can still assure that Bacolod is safer to live and do business, compared to other highly-urbanized cities. “There is nothing to worry,” he added.

He said he is open to talk to the members of the business sector regarding their concerns and they are willing to provide them assistance if necessary.