DAVAO CITY — You have access to information at your fingertips. This is the best way to characterize the Philippine National Police (PNP) XI’s operations center.
The regional director, Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, proudly displayed what is in store inside the OPCEN, which is manned by 22 young police officers, in front of the Newsline team.
A stringent health routine must be followed to enter the compound of Camp Catitipan, which is located along Buhangin Diversion Road, from body temperature to the presentation of a vaccine card.
Inside the 150 square meter building is a massive wide monitoring system that will provide real-time data on crime volume, disaster-prone locations, airport arrivals, illegal drug operations, and Coronavirus delivery at any given time.
It also shows the rebel infested areas and movement of all police personnel wearing body cameras since the drone hovers in major cities and towns.
“This is first in the PNP, data are transmitted via satellite real time through the global positioning system (GPS) and the support of the three major telecommunications companies,” he explained.
If Davao City’s Public safety and Security Command Center generates and shows Davao city, PNP XI OPCEN shows the entire region from the border to the mountains.
“We did not spend so much fund for this, we use our computers, install the system and pay the regular usage of satellite which is just about P5,000 monthly,” Escobal explained.
