4 days ago
Thief steals cables of NCAP cameras in Makati — MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said the cables of some cameras used in the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati City were stolen.
According to Joseph Morong's '24 Oras' report, CCTV footage showed a man stealing the cables on the Guadalupe EDSA Overpass last June 20.
The MMDA said it only found out when the CCTV did not work during a test on Tuesday.
A total of eight CCTV cameras had their cables cut. The theft seems to be a common scenario as signages were put up, warning the public of the illegal act and that the cables are made of fiber optics and not copper, which could be sold in junk shops.
'Mahal po yung kable ng mga wires. Mukhang ibebenta po yung kable rather than galit sa NCAP (the wires are expensive. It's more of they would sell the cable rather than being mad at the NCAP),' MMDA chairman Romandao Artes said of the suspect's possible motive.
The MMDA has reported the case to the Philippine National Police for investigation.
The agency also expressed concern over the recent incident since this could give others the idea to cut the NCAP cables.
'Lalagyan na namin siya ng harang to protect the cameras. Tandaan nyo pag nanira kayo ng property o kumuha kayo ng property, may penalty yan sa batas and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted,' Artes said.
(We will put a barrier to protect the cameras. Remember, if you steal or destroy property, you will face a penalty, and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted.)
The MMDA said NCAP cameras help maintain public safety on roads, especially with the recent number of road accidents around Metro Manila.
Based on the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, EDSA and C-5 Road logged the most recorded road incidents in Metro Manila in 2024, with over 8,000 incidents for each thoroughfare.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Avenue, which was previously considered a 'killer highway,' placed third with over 5,000 road accidents.
'I don't want to call any street a 'killer highway'. Make these roads safe, not just these roads na maraming accident kundi lahat ng roads sa (with many accidents but all roads in) Metro Manila for all,' Artes said.
According to the MMDA, congestion could be the reason for the many accidents along EDSA, while poor lighting is a possible factor along the C-5 Road.
When NCAP was reimplemented, MMDA said the number of road accidents along EDSA went down by 18% and 30% along Commonwealth Ave.
Aside from NCAP, the MMDA is also looking into lowering the speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour, but many factors still need to be balanced before it can be implemented. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated New
