MCPO pushes HD CCTV, facial recognition systems CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has urged the City Council to require business establishments to install high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras with facial recognition capabilities, saying the technology would significantly strengthen crime prevention and investigation efforts in the city. MCPO Director Police Col. Cirilo Acosta Jr. said the quality of CCTV footage plays a critical role in identifying suspects and tracking their movements, stressing that clearer and more advanced video systems could greatly improve law enforcement operations. Acosta said the proposal was in line with directives from Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Evangelista Abad, who encouraged the MCPO to seek the support of the City Council in modernizing the city’s surveillance requirements. He added that Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano had likewise directed local authorities to adapt to evolving technologies. “Our ordinance, I think, already needs to be modified. The suggestion of our regional director is to introduce new technology,” Acosta said. According to the police official, the city’s existing ordinance governing CCTV installation and regulation should be updated to accommodate emerging technologies and strengthen public safety measures. Among the proposed amendments is the inclusion of facial recognition systems, particularly in large commercial establishments. “For example, facial recognition should already be introduced so we can easily identify who entered a premises and determine whether any of them are persons of interest whenever a crime occurs,” Acosta explained. He noted that advanced surveillance systems would enable investigators to quickly identify individuals entering and leaving establishments, allowing authorities to trace suspects more efficiently. The MCPO is also encouraging private establishments to upgrade to high-definition CCTV cameras, saying poor image quality often hampers investigations. Aside from improving camera quality, Acosta emphasized the need to streamline police access to