IT SEEMS so much interest is in the identification and immediate arrest of the killers of barangay captain Oscar “Dodo” Bucol of Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur. The late barangay head was a vocal critic of certain politicians in Davao del Sur. And he used social media as a vehicle for his stinging tirades.
A few hours after Bucol’s killing Vice President Sara Duterte wrangled a P1 million reward money for the arrest of the village chief’s assassins. As this article went to press yesterday, the total reward money had already reached P4 million, with an additional commitment of P1 million from the provincial government of Davao del Sur. Then the family of the slain barangay captain was also reported to have offered another P1 million.
There was this other report that a member of the political nemesis of Digos City’s top official is also committing to add another P1 million.
If indeed this reported commitment is added, then the total reward money will be enticing to those who have knowledge of the identities of the killers and the mastermind. But if indeed they know the perpetrators, will they be ready for the possible consequences?
We have no doubt that with the willingness of the concerned personalities and entities to part with millions of pesos to hasten the solution of the murder, the late barangay captain could possibly be one indispensable political ally.
But he, too, must have proven his capability of destroying whatever defense by the enemies of any politician he supported during his lifetime.
This must have been acknowledged by his enemies – politicians or whoever. Thus, the decision was made to eliminate Captain Bucol for good.
Despite all the money accumulated to reward anyone who could lead to the identification of the assassins or the mastermind, it appears no one was interested in getting the pot until yesterday. Meaning, it is either no one knows any of the killers and their mastermind, or those who positively know the suspects would rather not take risk for their lives or those of their loved ones.
Our take on the issue, though, is that many know the perpetrators of the Bucol killing. The law enforcers, specifically the police, are among them. But naming or even just insinuating who the possible assassins are this early would only endanger the immediate resolution of the case.
After all, those who know the suspects may be aware that the perpetrators have all that it takes to influence the outcome of any investigation into the killing of the barangay chief.
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So there is a measure in Davao City called the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Facial Recognition Ordinance that was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Tuesday?
The ordinance allows the use of AI-aided software that will help recognize the faces of suspected criminals once they are captured on CCTVs. In the process, according to the measure, crimes will be prevented from happening, and those persons who have committed various law infractions, whether anywhere in the country or in Davao City, and are already included in the databases of law enforcement agencies will immediately be flagged down as cross-matching is automatic.
It’s a good thing that the planned purchase of some 150 high-definition CCTVs equipped with the AI recognition software will be installed in strategic locations like the airport, the bus terminals, government buildings, and other public convergence areas like markets. It is in these locations that criminals who oftentimes masquerade as law-abiding citizens feel secure in their movements.
We have no doubt as to the effectiveness of the Ordinance. But how much will it cost the city government, such as the purchase of the 150 units of CCTV and the AI-aided software? How much will the training and hiring of manpower to operate the system deplete the city’s finances?
Will the number of arrested persons with breaches of the law and the crimes prevented, if quantified, be commensurate enough as a fair “return on investment” (ROI) to be made by the city, and will it continue to invest in the operation of the Ordinance?
We congratulate the City Council, with specific mention of the author of the ordinance Councilor Bonz Militar, for this trend-setting local legislation. This certainly is a product of innovative ideas and serious research.
We are, however, hoping that the local legislative body will be able to craft measures that will have a direct effect on the people of the city, and the outcome can be seen or felt by those who are supposed to be its beneficiaries.
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