Viewers of reality crime shows are familiar with this scene: patrolmen conducting operations or pulling over motorists while on the road, all recorded by hidden cameras in front of their patrol vehicles.
The Laguna Police Provincial Office (LPPO), as part of its efforts to enhance its police monitoring and response, has recently installed a similar system in all of its roving vehicles in Laguna province – though we won’t expect them to be bandied on television soon.
Dubbed “Oplan Ophanim,” the installment of CCTV cameras inside the LPPO's roving vehicles is part of the provincial office's proactive response to road incidents and criminal pursuits.
The new CCTVs record every pursuit made by police vehicles and can be monitored in real time at the Provincial Command Center, located at Camp Paciano Rizal in Santa Cruz.
At the command center, trained personnel evaluate and verify incidents as they happen, then dispatch the nearest police units through two-way radios and satellite phones to reinforce operations and provide immediate response.
“With eyes on every patrol, we maintain real-time situational awareness, direct operations seamlessly, and ensure every decision is data-driven and timely,” the Laguna PPO said in a statement.
Police officials believe the initiative will lead to safer roads, faster pursuit of justice, and better protection for communities.
Aside from this, the new CCTVs will also boost the provincial police’s capability to record footage that can later serve as crucial evidence in legal proceedings.
“Body-worn cameras are limited, but our CCTV units have a 30-day recording capacity. Every roving patrol on standby throughout Laguna is visible from the command center,” Acting Laguna Provincial Director P/Col. Jonar Yupio said.
The police force also stressed that the initiative strengthens compliance with the PNP’s 5-Minute Response Protocol, ensuring quick action during emergency and crime situations.
“With Oplan Ophanim, Laguna PPO embraces innovation, vigilance, and a clear purpose: to protect lives, respond with urgency, and serve with integrity,” it added.
(With report from the Philippine Information Agency)
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews