ICPO: Banks, pawnshops must have CCTV cams
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) urged all banks and pawnshops in the city to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and security alarm system connected with the nearest police station to deter robberies.
The reminder came as an offshoot of the robbery at Barotac Viejo Rural Bank Friday last week in Jaro district in which robbers carted away an estimated P1.5 million.
ICPO operations section chief Chief Insp. Uldarico Garbanzos said that he will send proposal to the city council to require banks and pawnshops to have CCTV cameras before given business permits.
Garbanzos disclosed that there are only a few banks and pawnshops in the city that have the necessary equipment.
CCTV cameras are used to record and monitor the people coming in and out of a certain establishment.
Garbanzos also said aside from the banks, moneychangers, and pawnshops are also prone to robbery.
“The installation of security alarm system on the bank or pawnshop will ensure the prompt response of the police in case of robberies or other incidents,” he stressed.
Garbanzos added they will conduct an inventory to determine and identify the banks equipped with enough security system and those banks that lack security alarm gadgets.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Jerry Treñas called on bank managers and personnel to be cooperative and do their part in guarding against robbers.
