BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged business establishment owners to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and put lights in front of their stores.
The mayor made the call after it was observed that the sidewalk along Locsin-Luzuriaga Streets, where a Chinese businessman was robbed and killed by an unidentified assailant, was too dark.
Wu Changle, 26, of Fujian, China and security guard Jilbert Mayang of Hinoba-an town, Negros Occidental were shot to death by a lone assailant who robbed JDS Mindoro Enterprises Corp. on the evening of December 25.
Senior Police Officer 2 Celito Dullan, chief investigator of Police Station 1, had earlier said the area has no closed circuit television (CCTV) camera that could help them determine the identity of the suspects.
Leonardia said Wednesday that when he was a councilor, he wrote a letter to the business sector, asking them to follow the city ordinance that mandates the putting up of lights in front of the store.
He added that this is already practiced by some businessmen along at the downtown area.
“This is ideal, and I hope that the businessmen will also follow to ensure the safety of their business,” the mayor said.
Leonardia said he will also request the City Council to revisit the city ordinance so they can update it and to ensure compliance of the business establishment owners.
He noted that based on the ordinance, businessmen with capital of P3 million and above are required to have at least two CCTV cameras.
He said that during the meeting of Task Group Bantay Negosyo led by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, it was discussed that there is no excuse for businessmen not to install CCTV cameras because very affordable units are available.
Leonardia added that they should install CCTV units with high definition to capture the identity of the perpetrators.
He also said that they will give ample time to business establishment owners to meet the CCTV requirement, and they will not be given a business permit, if they fail to comply with the basic security measures.
He pointed out that the CCTV unit is a deterrent and can help solve crimes as it can help in determining the identities of perpetrators.
“There are people who’d say that the killing of a Chinese national could scare investors, it’s correct, but this is an isolated case. These things can happen once in a while,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Familiaran reiterated the call for policemen to strengthen visibility operations especially in the downtown area to deter crimes.
He also urged owners of commercial establishments to implement security measures for their own safety.
Familiaran said he is set to meet with officials of Bacolod City Police Office, and with the business groups to discuss their course of action to prevent crimes.
For his part, Councilor Caesar Distrito said he condemns such barbaric and unconscionable act that led to the death of the Chinese national.
Criminals have really chosen an appropriate day, which is Christmas Day, to perpetuate their illegal act, he added.
“I challenge the Philippine National Police to conduct a manhunt operation and immediately arrest the perpetrator of this heinous crime,” he said.
“Our people can only have a peace of mind, if the suspect or his accomplice will be arrested. The City of Bacolod is known to be a peaceful place, and they just destroyed the peaceful living of our beloved city.” Distrito added.