BACOLOD City – Village officials here were urged to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in their jurisdictions as a deterrent to crime.
“Criminals would think twice or be discouraged from committing crimes knowing that they are being watched,” stressed Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, saying that he was alarmed by two successive shooting incidents in the past few days here.
He encouraged village heads to set aside a portion of their budget for the installation of CCTVs in their areas.
“This would be a big help in maintaining peace and order in the community,” he said, adding that CCTV footage have been effective in preventing crimes.
The latest gun attack in this city has claimed the life of Paul Masicampo of Barangay 2. He was shot dead on Monday, while his live-in partner Norma Tipon survived. Two unidentified gunmen wearing masks allegedly attacked them around 7:10 p.m. Masicampo reportedly had links to illegal drugs.
On Friday last week, Jail Officer 1 Jayvee Jason Vargas also died in an ambush.
Vargas together with his three companions was ambushed by unidentified assailants who opened fire at their vehicle in Barangay Pahanocoy shortly before midnight.
Police Station 9 chief Lieutenant Jovito Pastrana said prior to the ambush, Vargas was in La Carlota City to follow up on a personal transaction. Vargas was allegedly linked to illegal drug activities.
According to Pastrana, at least eight armed men carried out the ambush and the incident was likely planned.
Last April, Vargas survived an earlier attempt on his life when he was also ambushed outside the city’s Bredco Port./PN
