CCTV cameras effective in identifying criminals

By Andrew Doga-ong

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Close circuit television (CCTV) cameras are becoming effective tool in identifying criminals in the province.

Policemen recently arrested three robbery suspects who robbed a drug store here at night.

One of the suspects was identified through the footages recorded in the CCTV camera installed inside the Ivan Pharmacy Plus, a drug store located near the Bontoc General Hospital.

This was the second instance where security cameras installed inside the establishment helped policemen identify and later arrest crime suspects.

Bontoc police spot report identified the suspects as a certain Domingo Madarang of Pudo, Natonin, Arnel Bagangan of Alab Proper, Bontoc and Ezny Loyd Wadingan of Angkileng, Sagada.

Policemen, in their subsequent surveillance operations, arrested the suspects who were again about to rob a person inside a parked vehicle in front the Chico Terrace building along the national road.

Madarang admitted to law enforcers that he was indeed the one who entered the Ivan Pharmacy Plus store with the help of Bagangan and Wadingan.

A cellular phone reloader which was among the stolen items in the drug store was recovered from the suspects.

Court cases have been readied against the suspects.

In November 2010, two persons tried to rob the Sagada Rural Bank Branch located in Sabangan, Mt. Province.

Through images captured by the CCTV camera installed inside the bank, the police were able to identify the suspects.

A municipal circuit court then issued a warrant of arrest against the suspects for frustrated robbery.

With efforts of police who worked closely with local officials, the suspects voluntarily surrendered to the police authorities after eluding arrest for more than three months.