New Provincial Policing Head Poised to Extend Use of Facial Recognition in Philippines

Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, the new director of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), has announced plans to integrate artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology into the province’s crime prevention and investigation efforts. Capoquian, who took over from Col. Jeff Fanged in a ceremony at Magilas Hall in Lingayen, aims to enhance the use of technology in identifying suspects and responding to emergencies.

Pangasinan is a province located on the western part of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, bordered by the South China Sea to the west. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, agricultural productivity, and significant contribution to the country’s economy through agriculture, particularly rice and salt production, as well as fisheries. It is also a popular tourist destination, and one of the most populous provinces in the country.

“Before, we used cartographic sketches, but now the Philippine National Police is using apps to easily identify suspects,” Capoquian said, highlighting the shift towards modern tools. Currently, AI for suspect identification is available at only one station in the province, but efforts are underway to expand its use.

In addition to adopting new technologies, Capoquian plans to boost police visibility ahead of the midterm elections, deploying 80 percent of the force in the field, with a focus on nighttime patrols. He also intends to collaborate with other government agencies to strengthen border controls through joint inspections and checkpoints.

The use of facial recognition technology by police in the Philippines is growing, particularly in urban areas like Manila, but it is not yet fully widespread across the country. In March 2020, the local government began installing over 100 CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition capabilities in public spaces to enhance crime-fighting efforts by identifying wanted criminals, following a “Safe Philippines” project launched in 2019, which initially focused on five cities—Marikina, Parañaque, Pasig, San Juan, and Valenzuela.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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October 2, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith