Zambo’s security surveillance center lauded

MAYOR BENG Climaco commended the personnel manning the local government’s Security and Surveillance Coordinating Office (SSCO) for helping authorities monitor the security situation in Zamboanga City.

The mayor recently inspected the SSCO to ensure that the system is operational and functional as part of the city’s security preparedness program.

Mayor Beng Cliamco gestures as she talks with personnel of the Security and Surveillance Coordinating Office under Christopher Mandi. (Bong Serondo)

She said the SSCO has over the years demonstrated its capabilities in the police investigation and resolution of various crimes here, adding it is steadfast in its commitment to provide investigators with material information that ultimately led to resolution of numerous incidents, apprehension of crime suspects, and recovery of stolen properties, among others, including monitoring of traffic situation.

The modern SSCO, under the supervision of Christopher Mandi, contributed in solving and preventing crimes and coordination with the police and military. 

The SSCO is Climaco’s brainchild as security remains one of her top priority programs. 

Former Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Police Director, Brigadier General Jesus Cambay, Jr. who visited the SSCO in 2020, was impressed by its operation. Cambay was briefed on the SSCO’s accomplishments since its establishment in May 2019 and maintained 24/7 operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic to keep Zamboanga safe and secured.  

A simulation exercise was also held during Cambay’s visit to show to the official the SSCO’s capabilities to monitor, coordinate and respond during emergencies or incidents. Cambay commended the SSCO for its contributions to the local police force which was awarded as “Best City Police Office” in the country in 2020. 

The peace and order situation in Zamboanga has tremendously improved, especially during Climaco’s term and with her all-out support to police and military authorities and other law enforcement agencies, including at the barangay level. 

Climaco said the installation of high-quality, high-definition security cameras in different areas in Zamboanga was a big factor in maintaining peace and order, and also the logistical support the local government provided the police and military.  

She said the SSCO - the first in Western Mindanao and second in the southern Philippines after Davao City - has a huge impact on the peace and order situation, adding because of the state-of-the-art command center, the SSCO continues to monitor different strategic locations here - day and night - where security cameras are installed.  

Climaco said the local government installed over 100 security cameras as part of the Security and Surveillance Equipment and System Project to ensure public safety.  

The system, she added, uses Huawei’s intelligent video and data analytics solution. The SSCO - operated by over a dozen personnel - complements the local emergency telephone hotline 911. It was only during Climaco’s time that all these security programs were implemented for the benefit of the residents. 

Zamboanga has been a consistent awardee of the DILG campaign which gives an award, incentive, honor and recognition for local government in an effort to further strengthen accountability, particularly in good financial keeping, disaster preparedness, and social protection. (Zamboanga Post)