MMDA: Body cameras can monitor traffic, record rude motorists, abusive enforcers

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started testing body cameras of enforcers on Friday morning.

The objective of providing enforcers with cameras is to help improve monitor traffic and accidents as well as possible extortion committed by officials.

The agency hopes to provide many enforcers to have body cameras by 2018, which can also be used to gather evidence against unruly motorists and abusive enforcers, according to Katrina Son's "24 Oras" report.

Traffic enforcer Marlon Romen said the body camera issued to him by the MMDA is of great help in performing his duties.

"'Pag may mga aksidente, mamo-monitor agad. 'Pag merong issue sa kotong, magagamit namin 'to," he said.

The MMDA will enforce the use of body cameras to its traffic enforcers on Monday.

"Nasa gitna (ng katawan ng enforcer) para capture mo 'yung kahabaan ng highway. Tapos kung kakausap ka ng motorista, usually 'yung enforcers namin nagbe-bend. Mas maliwanag 'yung sound, mas makikita mo yung motorista," MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said.

The cameras have four hours of battery life, a memory card that can record video of up to four hours. It also has a 160 degrees view, which captures the entire road stretch.

The recorded videos can then be downloaded to the MMDA metro base.

The agency has received 20 bodycams as a donation from a private company.

The company plans to give cameras, first to the Task Force Special Operation team, then to traffic enforcers destined in choke points including Cubao, Pasay, Guadalupe and Ortigas.

"Ilalagay din ito sa mga enforcers na nakapwesto sa mga critical areas," Pialago said.

Motorists, however, are divided over the MMDA's initiative.

"Hindi naman tayo sure kung lahat ng footages ilalabas nila so I'm not sure with giving my trust to the MMDA having the body camera," a motorist said.

"Okay po sa akin 'yun para 'yung paghuli po nasa tama," another motorist said.

"'Pag matino 'yung MMDA na kakabitan pero 'pag ka may kalokohan din, madali din nila maitatago 'yun eh, sasabihin lang nila sira 'yung battery," one driver said. — Jamil Santos/BAP, GMA News