RPOC to all CV LGUS: enact to

grant police access to CCTVS

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—With police to population ratio continuing to provide the opportunity for criminals to beat the crime-busters in their game, the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Central Visayas (CV) evens up the playing field with the proposed access to a different set of eyes on the streets.

During the recent full council meeting, the RPOC believes access to closed-circuit television footages from business establishments and private residences would significantly aid law enforcement in the timely investigation of crimes and gathering of evidence.

The idea came from no less than Police Regional Office Director Police Brigadier General Arnold E. Abad, who sees the use of technology as a potential equalizer, especially in the ever increasing gap between police who are supposed to effectively serve and protect the community but is facing impossible odds: the ratio simply is way beyond mathematics.

Over the years, as the region’s metropolitan areas become complex economic magnets for thousands of workers, these also became nests for crimes, with lawless elements thriving in the heavily lopsided police to civilian population ratio.

Despite aggressive efforts in law enforcement and innovations using enhanced police visibility, crime-time analysis or day-of-week/hour-of-day analysis for “crime days” and “crime hours,” criminals continue to innovate.

And as police to civilian population continue to widen, the police official saw the potential of the installed CCTVs which keep constant watch.

Through Resolution No. 03, series of 2026, the RPOC resolved to encourages all local government units in Region VII to enact an ordinance authorizing police access to CCTV footages from business establishments and private residences for purposes of crime investigation and evidence gathering, subject to applicable laws and data privacy regulations.

The RPOC has been mandates to formulate and coordinate policies, strategies and actions to ensure peace and order and promote public safety and security in the region, thus the resolution.

PBGen Abad believes that access to CCTV footages from business establishment and private residences would significantly aid law enforcement in the timely investigation of crimes and the gathering or evidence.

The PROC also resolved to furnish all LGUS in Region 7 through their respective municipal local peace and order councils for information, guidance and appropriate actions. (PIAbohol)

EXTRA EYES. Other than the police issuing “be on the look out,” advisories, the regional Peace and Order Council in Central Visayas wants all LGUS to get police investigators authorized access to CCTVS, not just in the streets but in business establishments and private residences to aid in post-crime investigations (PIABohol/VIGI)