By ROY C. MABASA | October 29, 2010, 7:07pmMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affirs (DFA) on Friday confirmed that the nurse who was caught on a CCTV camera allegedly turning off the life-support system of her British patient in January 2009 is a Filipina.The declaration was made after the video, which showed 55-year-old Violeta Aylward mistakenly turning off her paralyzed patient’s ventilator, went viral over the Internet. According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in London has already "reached out" to Aylward and is "actively monitoring developments of the case."The DFA said Aylward's licence was suspended by the Nursing and Mid-Wifery Council (NMC) in October last year. She is still awaiting a schedule for a formal hearing on the matter.The United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service, however, did not find sufficient basis to file a criminal case against Aylward after a thorough investigation. The Filipina nurse is employed by Ambition 24hours Care Service.The patient, who suffered brain damage due to the incident, was identified as 37-year-old Jamie Merrett. He is from Devizes in southwest England and had been left paralyzed from the neck down by a 2002 road accident.Reports said Merret installed a camera in his home when he became suspicious about the care he was receiving. The video, which was uploaded by the UK Telegraph on its website and has since been circulating among various social networking sites, showed Aylward attempting to restart the ventilator after she accidentally turned it off.The Filipina nurse tried to revive Merrett but applied a resuscitation bag in the wrong place. Instead of connecting it to the hole in the patient’s neck, Aylward placed it in the patient's mouth. Paramedics was only able to restart the machine after 21 minutes."Merrett was starved of oxygen and sustained severe brain damage, leaving him with the mental capacity of a child," the Telegraph said in its report. Merret's family is now preparing to take legal action.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph
CALASIAO, Philippines - A closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) captured the murder of a barangay kagawad in Calasiao town, Pangasinan, on Sunday. Footage caught by a CCTV camera installed at a gasoline station showed the victim, Barangay San Vicente official Joseph Garcia, being shot to the head at close range.Garcia was filling his motorcycle with gas when another motorbike with 2 men stopped a few meters away from him. One of the men wearing a yellow shirt and a baseball cap suddenly went toward the victim and shot him at the back of the head.Bystanders ran in panic while the gunman pumped more bullets into the fallen Garcia. The suspect stole the victim’s change from the gasoline station before he and his accomplice fled the scene.Police have yet to find a motive for the crime, said Chief Inspector Gary Pascual, Calasiao deputy police head. The victim’s family, meanwhile, declined to give a statement to media.A report received by the authorities indicates that Garcia was killed allegedly because he was an informer for the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He was the fourth barangay official in Pangasinan attacked so far, according to police records. The three other victims survived the attacks. – Noriel Padiernos, ABS-CBN News North Central LuzonSource: abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 10/19/2010 12:15 AM | Updated as of 10/19/2010 12:15 AM
CCTV cameras in NI prisons have broken down 783 times in the past five years.
The information was revealed in an Assembly answer by the Department of Justice to SDLP MLA Thomas Burns.
He said he was "very alarmed" by the figures which cover Maghaberry, Hydebank Young Offenders' Centre and Magilligan near Londonderry.
The figures emerged two weeks after the Billy Wright Inquiry said the breakdown of CCTV cameras was a factor in the events leading to his murder.
Mr Burns added: "Questions must be asked about the reliability of the equipment being used and immediate action must be taken to solve this problem.
"The prison service is under a great deal of pressure at the minute and it is little wonder staff morale is at an all-time low when their equipment is out of date and constantly breaking down.
"It is clear we need a 'Patten' style reform of the prison service.
"There are so many frequently reoccurring, complex and deeply rooted problems across all institutions that radical change seems to be the only way to deal effectively with them."
The Wright Inquiry recommended a complete overhaul of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
However, reforms akin to the Patten review of the RUC has been ruled out by the justice minister David Ford on the grounds of cost.
Source: bbc.com.uk
Plans to monitor CCTV cameras in Ely from the city rather than from 16 miles away in Cambridge have been proposed.
East Cambridgeshire District Council is talking to the county police force about monitoring the Ely and Soham CCTV from Ely Police Station.
At present the cameras are viewed by police in Cambridge.
The council, which will make a final decision on the plans in the autumn, said the scheme could save money and provide a quicker response from police.
'Safety of people'
Detailed discussions are to take place between the district council, the police, the City of Ely Council and Soham Town Council.
Peter Cresswell, chairman of community services committee at the council, said: "I believe the discussions we have had with the police in recent weeks will lead to a system which meets the needs of everyone.
"The safety of the people who live and work in our district is of paramount importance and I am extremely pleased we are making real progress to achieve this goal."
Insp Andy Bartlett, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: "CCTV not only assists in the detection of crime but also acts as a deterrent."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news
MARIKINA CITY, Philippines – Solar-powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed on major bridges in Marikina City, the local government said on Tuesday.
The cameras serve as early-warning devices that monitor the water level in the Marikina River, Mayor Del de Guzman said.
The CCTV cameras are in place in the Tumana, Sto. Niño, and Marcos bridges.
“We learned our lesson from [typhoon] Ondoy,” de Guzman explained. “Dati mano-mano ang monitor natin sa ilog... tao-tao, pero ngayon technology at makikita ng lahat mula dito sa City Hall para makagawa ng appropriate action.”
He said aside from being powered by sunlight, the cameras also have night-vision capability and a built-in alarm system that goes off when the river’s water level reaches 14 feet.
“Pag tumunog na ang alarma, ibig sabihin kailangan na namin umalis (When the alarm goes off, it means that we have to leave),” said Tumana barangay captain Lucila de Guzman.
Hundreds of houses in the village were washed away by floodwaters during the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy in September last year.
Source: Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News | abs-cbnNEWS.com | Posted at 09/22/2010 1:13 AM | Updated as of 09/22/2010 8:50 AM
By edd moore herald reporterA PLYMOUTH man who stole charity cash from a city pub has been jailed for another, meticulously planned theft.Recovering heroin addict Benjamin Stacey went into a Barbican gift shop, reached up to the CCTV camera and turned it to face away from the till, Plymouth magistrates were told.The 28-year-old then returned the following day and snatched a money tin from beneath the counter while his girlfriend distracted staff.Stacey, from Stonehouse, was in the dock yesterday after admitting one count of theft.The court heard how the unemployed decorator had first ventured inside the Dragon Corner Oriental Gift Shop, in Southside Street on July 10, and turned the camera 45 degrees to the left. He came back with partner Katie McLoughlin at around 11.30am the next day and she persuaded the lone shop assistant to climb a ladder so she could take a closer look at an item that was on display.While they talked Stacey, of Manor Street, reached under the till and grabbed a box containing around £180 in cash and electricity meter cards worth about £90, the court heard — but despite having moved the camera, he was captured on tape.Bob Stebbings, for Stacey, said he had been recalled to prison after being arrested while on licence, spending 28 days inside."He had a pretty serious session of thinking while in custody," Mr Stebbings added."He has finally come to the realisation, after a fairly lengthy criminal career, that something has to change."Stacey, who had a long-term heroin problem, was now attending the Harbour Centre, and had secured a methadone and diazepam script, the court heard.McLoughlin, also aged 28 and of Manor Street, appeared separately to admit the joint charge and was granted conditional bail ahead of sentencing on October 14. The Crown Prosecution Service agreed to take the charity cash theft offence into consideration.The court was told how the couple had gone into the Minerva Inn in Bretonside where Stacey had dropped a collection tin, thought to contain around £250, into McLoughlin's handbag.Both admitted the offence when interviewed by police.Jailing Stacey for four months, magistrates said the theft had a degree of planning and related to money that was due to charity.They also ordered him to pay £270 in compensation.Source: http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk
A man who objected to a CCTV camera keeping watch on his bedroom window from the house opposite appeared before a judge – for stealing the camera and throwing it in a river.
The camera had been installed in the empty house opposite Christian Lord’s home in Welsh Road, Harraby, Carlisle.
He and his girlfriend didn’t like the 24-hour monitoring of their movements, so he broke in and removed it.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court to a charge of burglary and the theft of the £1,500-worth of surveillance equipment.
He was put under 12 months’ probation supervision and ordered to undergo drugs rehabilitation.
Prosecuting counsel Jonathan Dickinson told the court it was unclear who had installed the camera, or why, although it was thought Lord’s landlords – a housing association – were responsible.
“There is no dispute that the CCTV looked out solely upon the property occupied by Mr Lord and his girlfriend,” he said.
In mitigation defence counsel Kim Whittlestone said Lord’s partner, who suffered from mental health problems, was especially troubled by the presence of the camera.
So, she said, Lord decided to get rid of it.
“He was not aware of its purpose, but he was very concerned about where it was pointing. It appeared to be pointing at his front bedroom.”
Ms Whittlestone said it was something of a mystery why the camera had been installed, because there were no reports of Lord causing any trouble or doing anything wrong in the house.
In fact, she said, he and his girlfriend still lived there. Judge Peter Hughes QC said he was puzzled by who installed the camera.
“Under what authority was it done?” he asked. “There are human rights considerations here.”
Judge Hughes told Lord that if the device had been installed by the police as part of a criminal investigation the offence would have been much more serious. “But that is not the situation I have to deal with,” he said. “It is unclear why and on what basis this camera was installed.
“But plainly you and your partner were aware of its presence watching your activities and you took exception to it. While in no way can I condone your actions, this is far removed from a typical case of burglary. It seems you did it just to stop yourself being snooped upon.”
First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 | Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Source: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
MANILA, Philippines - The Internet has been abuzz with news and reactions regarding George Francis Dimaano, the newborn baby found by cleaners last Sunday in the trash bin of a Gulf Air plane (Gulf Air Flight 154) which arrived in Manila from Bahrain.
The news has been picked up by international media, and netizens the world over have been sharing reports via Facebook or retweeting news items via Twitter.
Surprisingly healthy, George Francis weighed 3 kilos. His first name was taken from Gulf Air's code name (GF) and the last name was from Tristan Dimaano, the man who found him wrapped in tissue and covered with blood.
Netizens from here and abroad expressed shock and anger at the mother, and pity, awe and love for the baby.
How could this have happened?
A lot of people could not believe that a woman was able to give birth in mid-air and no one, not even the flight crew, knew.
Twitter user drinkmoxie tweeted: "Seriously how does this happen and no one notice anything. Just glad the baby is doing ok."
Another Twitter user, njaymaldito, said: "OMG! An infant covered in a white cloth was discovered inside a trash bin in a Gulf Air plane. Thank God the baby is still alive."
A woman named saikasyed tweeted: "new born baby found on a Gulf Air flight toilet. How did she give birth in that tiny place? good lord!"
Users iceedebbz and neilmonnery couldn't imagine how it could have happened. User iceedebbz tweeted: "So sad! How does one give birth on a plane and no one notices it? Then the mother leaves him behind poor 'Gulf Air' baby."
"Giving birth in mid-air on an aircraft and no-one noticed?" asked neilmonnery.
Ali Johnson, writing on Facebook, said: "just heard a terrible news from the Philippines. a new born infant was thrown in the dumps by a passenger of Gulf Air! Who could do that?"
And Lamya added on Twitter: "so who is this crazy lady who gave birth in Gulf Air's flight and threw the baby in the bin!!!! how did she manage to deliver silently :/"
Mother condemned
A lot of comments condemned the mother, believed to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), for leaving behind a live baby in a trash can.
User khalidalkhalifa tweeted: "The mother is a criminal."
AngryBritain tweeted: "Baby dumped in Gulf Air plane toilet bin. Mary Bale strikes again." Mary Bale is the woman recently caught on CCTV dumping a cat in a trash bin in the UK. She said she did it as a joke, then apologized publicly after public outcry.
Twitter user itsmeheidee said: "watching news on TFC. Baby found in Gulf Air flight bin. What kind of a mother would do that to her own blood. Psycho!!! tsk"
User kristinejdeleon called the mother heartless: "gosh...my heart is cryin for the baby that have been left in gulf air airplane...what a heartless woman! >_<"
And tor_vic has already pronounced the sentence for the mother: "mom of gulf air baby should be shot on site for abandoning her baby, the most precious of God's creation"
Cel Chua on Facebook has another idea--death by stoning: "The mother of the baby boy found inside toilet trashcan of Gulf Air plane has no conscience. A criminal must be put in jail or much better---stoned till death."
Much love for the handsome baby
But there was overflowing love and compassion online for the baby, who has been described as "cute" and "gwapo."
GAMeets tweeted: "Oh my gosh, Paddy! Ang cute ng baby from Gulf Air! Kawawa naman, ang cute ni baby George :("
And RadicalLN7 agreed: "the baby found in gulf air is so cute....sayang napunta xa s isang inang wlang PUSO!!!!"
ilovemaru wrote: "Ano kayang kwento ng nanay ng baby na iniwan sa basurahan ng Gulf Air? Ang gwapo pa naman ng baby"
Many Twitter users were sad and heartbroken over the news.
jboygonzalessj tweeted: "Heartbroken over this Gulf Air baby abandoned by mom, thrown into a trash bin. Awang-awa ako sa bata."
thenightlite said: "How sad.....! Heart wrenching... Baby found on board Gulf Air in toilet.... Poor baby!! Bless"
And presch wondered what's in store now for the baby: "So heartbreaking...What willl happen to Jorge Francis? Baby found in Gulf Air flight bin in Philippines."
Netizens volunteering to be parents
Baby George Francis may have been abandoned by his mother, but for sure he will get new parents soon.
trishenson tweeted: "i want to adopt that baby they found in the trash bin of gulf air!"
Twitter user jonrimanuel wrote: "The Gulf air baby is cute! I wanna adopt him! :)"
Celebrity mom Pia Magalona, widow of rap star Francis Magalona, said her son Arkin asked her to take the baby. "I fell in love instantly w d abandoned baby on Gulf Air featured on d news. Arkin said 'let's get it nalang.' I wish!" she tweeted.
User normantiongco tweeted: "Ang cute ni George Francis! Yung Gulf Air baby! Kung pde Lang ako na aampon sa kanya :)"
And DaphCLPT expressed her all-out love: "Give me the little baby boy found in the bin of a toilet onboard a Gulf air flight. I'll take him, poop & all. :("
The baby is currently in the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The mother has been given 3 months to claim George Francis, and if no one comes forward, he will be put up for adoption.
Lesson learned
Authorities are looking for the woman who may have given birth to George Francis. They have already identified who sat on the seat where blood was found.
According to Supt. Romeo Desiderio, chief of the NAIA Terminal 1 Aviation Police, the mother's violation may be attempted infanticide or abandonment.
Twitter user leavingearth summed up the moral lesson in this incident: "An airplane bathroom is not a place to discard your: A) cig. butts B) disp. razor C) newborn baby."
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
By ELLSON QUISMORIO | September 13, 2010, 3:47pm
MANILA, Philippines – Spurred by the spate of robberies that have hounded Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday it will set up more checkpoints and chokepoints at strategic areas in the metropolis.
Chief Supt. Leocadio Santiago Jr., NCRPO director, said the move is also part of the plan to increase police presence in the metropolis to deter criminals with the arrival of the Christmas season.
“I have already ordered that additional checkpoints be set up at areas leading to malls, bus terminals, airports, schools, ports, churches, parks and other places that people tend to congregate, especially with the advent of the Christmas season,” Santiago said.
Police operatives in the checkpoints will be headed by a Police Inspector, the NCRPO chief said.
The cops will use Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and K-9 units to detect drugs, explosives and contraband.
The CCTV would document the conduct of the police officers to ensure the motorists’ rights are respected while the K-9 units would be used to sniff for any “hot” items.
Santiago gave the order for increase police visibility after Sunday night’s robbery at a fast food outlet in Libis, Quezon City, wherein the perpetrators carted away P150,000 in earnings.
Last Friday, commuters aboard a passenger bus were held up in Mandaluyong City while robbers also struck in Taytay, Rizal and Las Piñas City last week.
“We expect criminals to be more active as the holiday season draws nearer, that’s why we are already making proactive measures. I have already ordered my district commanders to be more alert against criminal syndicates,” said Santiago.
Aside from uniformed cops, the NCRPO chief said plainclothes detectives would also be deployed to protect passengers of buses and other transport systems, specifically from thieves and pickpockets.
At the same time, Santiago appealed to the public to cooperate with the police in guarding against criminals.
Among the areas that are usually teeming with criminals during Christmas season are the Cubao district and Litex-Commonwealth in Quezon City; Quiapo and Divisoria in Manila; Bagong Silang in Caloocan City and Baclaran in Parañaque City.
The NCRPO is also planning to have a meeting with business establishment owners, bus drivers and transport operators to discuss security measures to be implemented this holiday season.
NCRPO spokesman Senior Supt. Dionard Carlos said the meeting aims to lower crime rates that usually go up during the holiday season.
Carlos said the NCRPO chief wanted to remind traders and bus drivers about the importance of taking security measures especially during the “ber” months.
He said the NCRPO wanted to update business owners and bus drivers as well as bus operators on the preventive measures to deter crimes.
Among the preventive measures that Santiago wanted to carry out and suggest to bus operators and drivers was to avoid overloading their vehicles which the NCRPO said is a situation that could be exploited by thieves.
Carlos said they wanted to advise bus drivers and operators where robbers usually position themselves before staging a holdup.
He also said one possible solution to avoid robbery holdup inside passenger buses was not to allow passengers in the aisles.
“We will not give them any opportunity to carry out their illegal activities,” Carlos said.
The NCRPO also wanted to hear the views of bus drivers and operators on the plan to assign marshals inside buses.
Carlos said the NCRPO also wanted to know the security measures being implemented in malls and banks so that the police could map out supplementary protective measures.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – A thief who carried and broke open a 150-kilogram vault inside a store while hoping to steal a large amount of cash had a surprise of his life.
The vault contained only several bars of whitening soap and P1,500 in cash.
Unfazed, the man pocketed the money and stole the bars of soap.
A closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) installed inside the A.R.M. Skin Essentials Corporation recorded the scene in Frisco, Quezon City, early Friday morning.
The suspect was identified by police as the electrician who installed both the vault and the CCTV camera.
Before going for the vault, the thief tried to destroy the camera, but only managed to have his face fully revealed.
He later escaped through a fire exit.
The store owner, Dr. Alvin Matulac, said luck was not on the thief’s side.
Matulac had emptied the vault of its contents of around P5 million, which he deposited in a bank.
“Buti na lang hindi nya ginalaw yung mga katabing vault dahil iyun yung mga may laman ng pera... yung sa vault talagang katsa lang ang laman,” he added.
“(It’s good that he did not get his hands on another vault that had cash. The vault that he opened really only contained rags.)”
Quezon City police have placed the thief on a wanted list. – with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
abs-cbnNEWS.com/ Posted at 09/12/2010 12:21 AM | Updated as of 09/12/2010 12:21 AM
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
Manila, Are You Really Safe?
By Adrian Carlo Velasco The Philippine Star Updated September 10, 2010 12:00 AM
‘#ManilaIsSafe’ may have been a trending topic on Twitter but YS decided to volt in with the Citizen Safe brigade to make it a reality. Here’s our unofficial guide to living a little safer in the city.
MANILA, Philippines - Ingat!” Do not underestimate the power of John Lloyd Cruz’s paracetamol commercial. It makes a lot of sense in a time when anyone — and we mean anyone — can become the stalked, the default cab driver’s victim or the after-party hipster who walks home vulnerable. No, vigilance is not paranoia. As Rock Ed head Gang Badoy puts it, “It is about you and the people you care about.”
Admit it, all the whining and ranting about what we “shoulda, woulda, coulda done” to resolve the Aug. 23 Quirino Grandstand ruckus is getting a little tired. Yes, the Philippines has gotten the infamous travel warning from the US Bureau of Consular Affairs (and them some) — in fact, we could be the most dangerous place on Earth — but don’t you think it’s time to shut our pieholes and start living more cautiously?
In lieu of recent events and the seemingly ancient crimes which we — the private citizens, the police force and the national government together — have tried to forget, we gathered some practical and sane ideas that will make our lives a little better. All thanks to never-say-die non-government organization Rock Ed’s Citizen Safe, “a campaign for urban safety formed in September 2009” after the murder of film critic Alexis Tioseco and journalist Nika Bohinc in their Times Street home — a few minutes away from the Aquino Family residence.
“(It’s) important to put that Citizen Safe is not an acceptance of things about the police. This is an acceptance of the recognition that time will have to pass before law enforcement steps up to raise the level of trust in our environment, where we move in our public places. Habang hindi pa nangyayari ‘yun, we have to be our own security force, diba? And how do we do that?”
Ace Esmeralda, owner of security risk management firm Ace And Associates, has been handling Rock Ed’s public concerts for five years now and there have been no major incidents ever since. The former Army Captain, who was assigned in Mindanao for eight years to command an army strike company of an Anti-Kidnapping Task Force, gives his two cents’ worth: “Please be reminded that there is no guarantee in observing these measures. Crimes against a person are situational. (But they) usually victimize those who are not vigilant.”
Read each item carefully as Badoy cites the case, Esmeralda lays down the do’s and don’ts, and YS demarcates the measures we need to take in times of danger.
Urban Safety Instructions: Home is supposed to be our refuge
The case: Ironically, Badoy seeks advice from her incarcerated students during her weekly poetry class at the New Bilibid Prison. “After the murder of Alexis (Tioseco), it was important that I asked it from all sides,” she explains. “What could he have done?” According to her students, Alexis could have called someone for someone to hear the incident. “Pag may tulong ka ng mga (If you have access to) technologies, go for it. How great it would have been if he had remote access to a webcam, something that operates on the net!’”
The moves:
1. Generally, crimes similar to what befell Alexis and Nika can be prevented with security awareness program to household staff and proper design of fences and gates. Gates should be designed so that homeowners can see who the people on the other side are.
2. Households can install an alarm system to alert neighbors and police units of intrusions or the suspected presence of criminals and ongoing crime.
3. Good lighting can discourage criminals while CCTV can help solve committed crimes. A visible CCTV camera may also discourage criminals.
4. Take note of the physical characteristics of robbers: height, size, voice, accent, eyes, lips, or face (if not wearing mask), clothes, weapons, and even their demands.
5. Generally speaking, to keep people secure, lock your doors, gates and windows always.
6. Own a dog.
Street Patrol
The case: “You should be careful when you’re talking on the phone. We always take it for granted,” says Badoy. The street is not our house. Giving out information in public like your next destination, schedule, and even little things, can be dangerous. “So it’s really a delicate balance of telling the right people where you are all the time and not letting the bad elements know where you are,” she adds.
The moves:
1. Speak in lower volume when in public areas. Coffee shops are the best places to overhear private matters.
2. When you feel in danger, run to a security guard or a building. Why? Security guards are better trained in emergency response.
3. If you think you’re being stalked, call a friend. Call your security department. Inform them of your situation. Describe the stalker or your location. Ask them to meet you at the nearest well-lit area. If possible, enter a hotel lobby and pretend to check in. At the front office counter, calmly inform staff that you suspect a stalker. If the stalker did not follow you, ask a friend or relative to pick you up where you are.
4. Shoulder bags should be constantly held under arms or at one’s front to discourage pickpocketing.
5. Exude vigilance and confidence when walking. Snatchers and thieves go for those who appear frail, weak and not alert.
6. Unless one is trained and has the confidence of Steven Seagal, do not resist a mugger.
Hailing A Cab, Hailing For Help
The case: We can still remember the unfortunate story of young woman in her 20s who was mugged and beaten up by a cab driver. What could she have done? “Strength in numbers, maximize technology. We do that all the time for marketing. We maximize social networks,” Badoy says. So why not use Facebook and Twitter for safety? “That’s why I like that people always tweet the license plates of the cabs. That’s a great practice, I think. If not prevent crimes, at least helps find the perpetrator.”
The moves:
1. SMS at least three people the license plate and name of the cab you get into.
2. Don’t ride a taxi with a suspicious looking or acting driver.
3. If the driver looks suspicious, pretend to call someone, preferably a male (while mentioning a male name like Papa, Kuya, Sir or even Tsip) and mention the taxi body number, name, etc.
4. You can ask the driver his name and relay it loudly over the phone. But don’t make it sound as though you are suspicious of the driver.
Computer graphics by TEKS PABUAYON
Commuting Common Sense
The case: We’re all guilty of snoozing on the bus, train or jeep ride going home. “When I asked inmates in jail, the ones tried for kidnapping and robbery, they say they always prefer attacking people who look inattentive, tired, distracted or those with a lot of things in their two hands. Interestingly enough, one of the inmates said he never held up anybody who had an umbrella.”
The moves:
1. Stay awake on public transport. Look alert.
2. If the perpetrator has a weapon, cooperate and give in to his demands. Life is more valuable than earthly possessions.do.
3. Cooperate! Listen to instructions.
4. Take note of robbers’ physical characteristics.
After-Party Alarm
The case: What to remember when stumbling out of that bar or club.
The moves:
1. Check on each other when you part after a gathering or a party.
2. SMS each other if you got home safely. Always let someone else know where you are or who you’re with: parents, mentors, friends or siblings.
3. As much as possible refrain from “secret meet-ups” with people none of your friends know. If you meet someone new, always introduce him or her to family or other friends or classmates.
4. Students should always have at least one teacher whom they can call, especially when they’re parents are not around.
State of Emergency
The case: Start keeping emergency numbers on speed dial. Start living à la Rescue 911.
The moves:
1. Emergency Network Philippines (Police, Fire Brigade, DILG, Emergency, etc.): 117
2. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Emergency Number: 136
3. Chinese General Hospital: (02) 711-4141 / (02) 743-2017
4. Hospital de San Juan De Dios: (02) 831-9731 to 36 /(02) 831-5641 to 49
5. Makati Medical Center: (02) 815-9911
6. Philippine Children’s Medical Center: (02) 924-6601
7. St Luke’s Medical Center: Contact (02) 723-0101
8. The Medical City: (02) 635-6789, (o2) 631-8626
9. Text Fire: 0918-688-8888
10. National Operator: 109
11. Cebu Ambulance: 161
Source: http://www.philstar.com
By Nazia Parveen | 5:50pm Saturday 11th September 2010
LANCASHIRE police have refused requests from Ribble Valley council bosses to help fund the borough’s CCTV system.
It has emerged that Lancashire Constabulary chiefs were asked several times for financial assistance by Ribble Valley Borough Council.
However, the requests were rebuked despite police describing the system as 'a valuable tool in supporting the work of the police in Ribble Valley and in Lancashire as a whole'.
A report presented to the Community Services Committee states that Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood 'made it very clear that Lancashire Constabulary would neither take over the management, maintenance and operation of the Clitheroe and Whalley CCTV system nor contribute in any way to its running costs'.
In March this year, it was revealed that council bosses were considering closing down the borough's CCTV system due to 'increasing financial instability' in the current economic climate.
According to the report, police suggested that the council could consider relocating the monitoring service into Greenbank Police Station, Blackburn, to make savings.
But the report says: “The cameras cannot be integrated into the existing 100+ camera system there. Their installation is possible but only just in what is a cramped operation at present.
“And Clitheroe police would not have the same convenient access to the CCTV system as they do now, something that is highly valued locally.”
Charges for running the system, with 27 cameras in Clitheroe town centre, three in Whalley and five across the Bus and Rail Interchange, increased by more than £6,400 this year, from £165,680 to £172,090.
The CCTV, which was first installed in 1995 with seven black and white cameras operating in Castle Street and Market Place, came under threat as part of Ribble Valley Borough Council cost-cutting measures.
Two options for the future of CCTV are now being considered including, searching for a new contractor to run the system or discussing changes with the current system operator resulting in the Ribble Valley, Hyndburn and Blackburn having one contract.
Source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
One of the India's top most universities; Jadavpur University known for its engineering and science faculties, has been facing a huge protest performed by students from different political associations.
Students are protesting against installing CCTV's cameras in the University.
For more than 24hours, many senior officials, registrar and the university's vice-chancellor have been confined to their offices as a result of "Gherao" (encirclement) made by the students.
Lokeswari Dasgupta, who belongs to the United Students Democratic Forum and is a leading the protests at the Calcutta University, said that students are not terrorists and this is an apparent intrusion to their freedom.
University authorities have planned for installing CCTV's camera in the Jadavpur campus because of Maoist activities. A Maoist leader Debolina Ghosh who was a former student at Jadavpur University, had recently arranged a press conference in the University campus and dared the police to arrest her in the University premises during the press conference, although this reason was not officially admitted by the University authorities.
Moreover, students also state that installing closed-circuit TV network inclusive of 16 CCTV's is a "complete waste".
Palash Ghosh, the general secretary of the engineering department of the university mentioned that it is not fair on the part of the university to spend huge amount of funds, two million rupees ($4,200) on CCTVs when food and drinking facilities provided in the hostel are pathetic.
In addition, there is no Wi-Fi internet connection in the campus so instead of installing CCTV's camera, authorities should spend amount on providing basic facilities in the better way.
Regardless of confined for more than 24 hours, University Vice-chancellor Pradip Ghosh remain stick to his proposal and reluctant to withdraw.
He also said that students are unnecessarily creating an issue on this matter and installation of CCTV camera are essential for the security reasons in the campus and moreover the installation will be completed within a month's time, including gates and various important locations.
Besides this, students are also protesting against a code of conduct imposed by the University authorities which includes students to show their identity cards at the gates while entering the campus and for visitors to leave the university premises by 9pm.
Maoism first took roots in West Bengal in 1970's and since then Jadavpur University is the breeding ground for all the major activities of the left wing. But in spite of these activities, Jadavpur University has been known for "centre of excellence" and is closely linked to India's nuclear programme.
Source: http://topnews.net.nz
By MADELYNNE DOMINGUEZ and MITCH ARCEO | September 8, 2010, 4:25pm
Manila, Philippines – Close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) are becoming an effective tool in catching criminals at work.
In Marikina, CCTVs helped security at the Riverside Mall arrest a suspect caught on camera stealing a wallet from the handbag of a woman at a fastfood restaurant.
In Pasay City, police were able to identify a suspect in the theft of a laptop from an employee of the bus line terminal.
Chief Inspector Earl Castillo, chief of the Marikina police Criminal Investigation Division, identified the suspect in the Riverside Mall theft as Teresa Rivera, 43, of Dela Alas Street, Pasay City.
Castillo said Rivera was caught on security cameras at the Riverside Mall stealing the wallet from the bag of Rowena Juanico of Dama de Noche Street, Townsville, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City.
Police said the theft occurred at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night at a Jollibee branch at the mall while the victim was lining up to order food.
Security guards monitoring the CCTV cameras saw the suspect opening Juanico’s handbag and sneak off with her wallet.
Security then radioed roving guards to accost the suspect before she got away.
The victim’s wallet which contained P12,000 was recovered from the suspect who was brought to the police stations where she is now detained awaiting charges.
Meanwhile, Pasay City police said they are now searching for John Arvic Bella, 29, of Barangay Sto. Niño, Camaligan, Camarines Sur, who was caught sneaking off with a bag containing a laptop by security cameras at the Philtranco Bus Liner terminal at the corner of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue and Apelo Street.
The apparent theft happened last September 2 but the suspect was only discovered after a review of the videotape of the security cameras.
The P30,000 laptop is owned by Dick Callope, Philtranco ticketing officer, who kept it at the terminal’s employees quarters.
The terminal's dispatcher said he saw the suspect roaming around the station before the theft.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph
MANILA, Philippines – Young members of a notorious criminal syndicate could be behind a daring bank robbery at a Banco de Oro (BDO) branch in SM Dasmariñas, Cavite on Monday, police said.
The robbers were in their 20s, said Senior Superintendent Danilo Maligalig, provincial director of the Cavite police.
“What is noticeable, relatively mga bata itong involved in yesterday's operation,” he said, adding that the suspects could be members of the Ampang-Colangco robbery group.
“Siguro mga bagitong rekrut nila (They could be the gang’s new recruits),” Maligalig said on Tuesday.
He added that police have information that the heist was led by a certain “Bogart,” a veteran member of the group and former right-hand man of the gang’s founder.
“We have gathered all the file pictures of its members. Crack teams of investigators went to SM Dasmarinas to interview (witnesses) and show these pictures,” he said.
Police believe that the gang used a female member to sneak in the guns used in the heist.
“We are also looking into the lapses of the security guards that morning. Kasi limang tao nakapasok na may baril, hindi nila na-check,” the Cavite police chief said.
A mall guard is also being investigated, according to police.
Maligalig said the unnamed guard, who was not disarmed by the robbers, acted suspiciously during the incident.
He said the robbery gang’s previous heists involved BDO branch and SM malls.
“Makikita niyo sa file nila…nakaugat sila diyan somewhere sa security involved (You can see in their file, some security officers are involved in the cases),” he added.
Police are now trying to locate the group’s safehouse in the province.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the management of SM Dasmariñas mall thanked police and local officials for acting "swiftly and decisively" on incident.
“(Police) have taken notes of the interviews they conducted with the mall security group and viewed and examined the CCTV yesterday,” the statement said.
ABS-CBN News sources said the gang stole around P8 million from the bank. Two security guards were also injured during the robbery. – with a report from Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN News
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
By CHITO A. CHAVEZ (August 26, 2010, 7:47pm)
It pays to have a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed in private and government hospitals.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10 operatives arrested last Wednesday a pedicab driver who was able to sneak into one of the rooms of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) where he stole some belongings of a patient.
Police Officer 3 Joel Sanchez, officer-on-case, identified the suspect as Ricky Beltran, 28, and a resident of 135 Matahimik St., UP Village, Quezon City.
The victim, Marian Geramillo, 36, of 19 Mulawin St., Buenmar Subdivision, Taytay, Rizal said she noticed that her Nokia 6020 telephone and lady’s wallet containing P240 in cash which she placed on top of a small table at Room 2008 were missing when she woke up around 5 a.m.
She reported the incident to the hospital’s telephone operator who immediately alerted the on-duty security personnel.
The security guards viewed Beltran’s act through the CCTV camera placed inconspicuously near the rooms.
That videotaped footage led to the suspect’s arrest at the lobby leading to the hospital exit where they discovered the stolen items of Geramillo.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph
MANILA, AUGUST 27, 2010 (STAR) By Cecille Suerte Felipe - The Philippine National Police announced yesterday that the tourist bus commandeered by a dismissed policeman in the hostage crisis last Monday in Manila would be preserved in an air-conditioned area with closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) to help in the “US air crash-type investigation.”“The final resting place of the bus will be in an enclosed place, which will be secured. CCTV (units) will be installed inside and outside the bus so that from time to time we can give updates to the public or the proper authorities,” said Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesman.Cruz said the Hong Thai tourist bus would be stored at the Logistic Supply Service compound at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodrigo Magtibay went on leave while four officers of the MPD Special Weapons and Tactics unit were relieved after mishandling the hostage crisis and assault on the Hong Thai tourist bus where dismissed police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza held hostage the Hong Kong tourists.Mendoza, who was dismissed from the police force last year for extortion, commandeered the tourist bus in Intramuros and held hostage 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipino guides for several hours in front of the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park in Manila.The suspect, armed with an M16 rifle and a pistol, had released several hostages before the SWAT team assaulted the bus. The hostage taker and eight tourists were killed.Cruz said that at any given time, investigators and even foreign investigators could come and look at the bus from the CCTV cameras and if they are going to come inside they will have to ask permission from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.He said foreign and local investigators would have to wear appropriate clothing so that all evidences will be preserved, including blood.“So we are going to put air-conditioning to preserve all of these things even if it takes a year or two we are going to sustain the investigation,” said Cruz. “We learn that air crash investigations abroad take several months up to a year or several years and the PNP is willing to do this to ensure that the investigation will be conducted in a professional manner.”Observers, however, said the plan to park the bus in an enclosed and air-conditioned room would be expensive and the PNP could hardly provide service firearms, gas mask, bulletproof vests and other basic equipment to policemen.“The bus was not the issue but the way police handled the hostage taking situation, why would the PNP spend money to preserve it,” asked an observer.
Source: http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl109991.htm
By Non Alquitran (The Philippine Star) Updated August 27, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (12) View comments
MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) called yesterday for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the waiting areas and parking lots of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City to curb robberies involving foreign tourists and overseas Filipino workers.
NCRPO chief Director Leocadio Santiago also directed the Pasay City police to review their checkpoints around NAIA to make it difficult for robbers, particularly members of the “Bundol (bump)” gang from going in and out of airport premises.
The Bundol gang’s modus operandi is to tail their victims from the NAIA, rear-end the victims’ vehicle, then rob them when they stop.
Santiago said he will coordinate with NAIA general manager Angel Honrado for the installation of the CCTV cameras.
“The CCTV cameras would help us monitor the spotters of the gang in waiting areas and also the plate numbers of vehicles in parking lots,” Santiago said in an interview.
The NCRPO chief issued his call following the rob-slay last Sunday of South Korean missionary Choe Tae Hwan, who fetched his colleagues from NAIA. Robbers blocked the path of their car and shot Choe when he fought back.
Santiago said businessman George Bernas, a brother-in-law of former presidential daughter Luli Arroyo; an American in Mandaluyong City and a Chinese family in Manila were robbed after they left NAIA.
Though the Eastern Police District (EPD) are still determining whether the Bundol gang were also behind the rob-slay of Choe, Santiago said “it is the NAIA which served as a common denominators of these robberies. So we must tighten our security arrangement at the airport and we can do that with the utmost cooperation of Gen. Honrado.”
The NCRPO chief vowed to make the neutralization of the Bundol gang as their top priority especially with the expected influx of Filipino workers returning home for Christmas.
Santiago also directed Superintendent Remus Medina, head of the NCRPO’s regional police intelligence and operations unit, to deploy teams to go after the gang.
Source: http://www.philstar.com
As it aims to preserve the remaining vegetation of the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday said it will no longer issue permits for logging activities in all natural forests."To avoid further depletion of our country's forested areas, we will no longer sign any new permits for tree-cutting and logging permits in natural forests," Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.He said a number of hectares of primary forests "have already been heavily degraded." Industry data showed that less than 16 million hectares in the country were identified as forestland.Paje said he has issued a new guideline to all regional offices for the abolition of all non-critical checkpoints in exchange for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all wood-processing plants in the country."Some 60 to 70 percent of the total number of checkpoints will be abolished. We will only retain the highly critical checkpoints," he said."But in exchange for this, we will be requiring all wood-processing [permit holders] to install at least one 24/7 CCTV camera in their processing plants to monitor the entry of illegally cut logs or naturally grown logs in processing plants," he added.CCTV cameras would enable the DENR to witness wood companies that are processing illegally cut timbers.Paje challenged logging companies to prove that they are not buying illegal logs, saying that "if they want to prove to us, they should show us their processing 24/7."Meanwhile, the DENR also Thursday earmarked some 15,000 hectares of upland areas for high-value agricultural crops under the Aquino government's National Convergence Initiative or NCI.Paje said that he has already directed all DENR regional executive directors to identify at least 200 hectares of land per province — or some 15, 000 hectares nationwide — for the agriculture development under the NCI. —JE, GMANews.TV
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv
Anyone looking and wanting to buy a wireless CCTV camera? You can check this 5 tips on how to choose your own wireless CCTV camera system. Continue reading.
5 Tips For Choosing a Wireless CCTV System
A wireless CCTV system can be a very inexpensive way to buy peace of mind. It can keep an eye on your kids when you're at work or watch your house when you're out of town. A wireless CCTV system can be something as simple as a Nanny cam in your baby's room or as complicated as five cameras mounted at strategic places around your home and yard. In addition to being inexpensive, wireless CCTV systems are easy to install. In fact, if you choose battery operated CCTV cameras, you can place them just about anywhere.
How do you choose a wireless CCTV camera system?
Here are five things to look for that can help you buy the right CCTV camera system for your home and your needs.
- Frames per second. This is very important because you can actually buy wireless CCTV cameras that record too many frames per second (FPS). For example, some will record 30 FPS, which is close to real time. However, you don't really want to record every second of every day, as this requires way too much storage space. The fact is that 30 FPS just isn't really necessary. Six FPS is usually enough for you to see what's going on.
- Color vs. black and white. The reason behind that is the fact that when you review video that has been shot in color, it's just much easier to see what's going on. Also, black and white video can look washed out and lack definition. However, black and white cameras can be better for outdoor wireless CCTV systems.
- Resolution. Just why is this important? It's because the better the resolution the better the picture - just like with your home TV. Some wireless home security systems offer only about 300 lines of resolution. The better ones deliver 500 lines. And exactly what occurs you choose the higher resolution? You will be able to better see what's going on just as you do when watching high definition TV vs. standard definition.
- Direct view or recorded video. This can be important as well. Direct view works well if you want to just watch what's going on in your home in real time such as with a Nanny cam. However, if you want to be able to review the video at some later time or you want to use it as "evidence," you will need a system that includes either a video tape recorder (VCR) or a digital video recorder (DVR).
- Wireless vs. wired. Why are wireless CTV cameras a good idea? A wireless Home Security System is much easier to install, as there are no cables to run around inside walls or ceilings. And many are battery operated so you don't to install them near an outlet - meaning you can place them just about anywhere in your house.
Follow these tips when buying a home surveillance system and you're certain to pick a system that will fit your needs and your budget.
Article Source: Douglas Hanna
CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. This is a cameras that can produce images or recordings for surveillance purposes, and can be either video cameras, or digital stills cameras.
Here's another definition that can be found here.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors.
It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to point, point to multipoint, or mesh wireless links. CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas that may need monitoring such as banks, casinos, airports, military installations, and convenience stores. It is also an important tool of distance education.
In industrial plants, CCTV equipment may be used to observe parts of a process from a central control room, for example when the environment is not suitable for humans. CCTV systems may operate continuously or only as required to monitor a particular event. A more advanced form of CCTV, utilizing Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), provides recording for possibly many years, with a variety of quality and performance options and extra features (such as motion-detection and email alerts). More recently, decentralized IP-based CCTV cameras, some equipped with megapixel sensors, support recording directly to network-attached storage devices, or internal flash for completely stand-alone operation.
Surveillance of the public using CCTV is particularly common in the UK, where there are reportedly more cameras per person than in any other country in the world. There and elsewhere, its increasing use has triggered a debate about security versus privacy.
