CRIMES and accidents at Cebu ports can now be monitored and documented with the installation of 117 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Some have been placed in strategic areas from the Cebu International Port (CIP) to Pier 1.
Senior Supt. Glenn Sarador, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) chief of police and officer-in-charge/manager of the Port Safety and Security, said 69 cameras were purchased for P9.072 million.
Of these, three have a zooming capability of approximately 350 degree.
“These three big CCTV cameras (are) called PanTilt Zoom Television or PTV. These have effective range, which is longer than the other CCTV cameras,” Sarador said.
Additional purchase
He said one PTV costs more than P100,000.
Sarador said the CPA also allocated P10 million to buy more CCTV cameras.
These will be installed in areas near the Qimonda IT Center Complex, which now houses the Palace of Justice, and in exits and entrances leading to the highway, among others.
Aside from the 117 CCTV cameras, 65 other CCTV units were installed in various areas of the CIP by the Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp.
In the past, several container vans allegedly containing smuggled goods were spirited out of the CIP in collusion with unscrupulous personnel of CPA, Opascor and the Bureau of Customs.
The stolen imported goods included smuggled rice, raisins, vehicles, sugar and other commodities, which were taken out of CIP allegedly using fake documentation to avoid payment of duties and taxes.
Going scot-free
However, nobody was charged due to lack of witnesses and the absence of CCTV cameras.
Sarador said that with the installation of the CCTV cameras, entry and exit of criminals can be monitored.
If a wanted person is spotted on the CCTV camera entering the port gate to take a vessel, he can be arrested at the passenger terminal.
Vehicular accidents, especially hit-and-run cases, can also be traced using the CCTV cameras.
Oscar Lopez, CPA port management department manager, confirmed during the Kapihan sa Pantalan last week that they also installed CCTV cameras in the ports of Hagnaya and San Remigio and Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island.