Modern tech vs wanted persons, lawless elements

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1010290
• Friday, September 29, 2017

By Edwin Fernandez (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Security measures in the city have improved with the acquisition of a high technology gadget that could identify lawless elements and wanted persons, officials said.

Officers and men of Joint Task Force Kutawato, a police-military unit tasked to ensure safety of city residents against lawless elements and crime offenders, including those involved in illegal drugs, are now equipped with Facial Recognition System (FRS).

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi personally turned over the equipment to Colonel Jesus Sarsagat, Task Force commander during simple ceremonies held at the unit’s headquarters.

The equipment is capable of identifying faces of law offenders, wanted terrorists and lawless elements when they are in the city or passing by Army and police checkpoints.

Present during the turnover ceremony were National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA-12) Director Everly Tajanlangit, 5th Special Forces Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel James Uri and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) Director Juvenal Azurin.

With the gadgets, Sayadi assured city residents the government is doing its best to ensure public safety.

A day earlier, the city government established five boat docks manned by JTFK personnel to monitor movement of lawless elements coming with people entering the city through several waterways.