Security agencies meet after mall deaths

MANILA, Philippines – Deployment of additional security guards and a reduction in the number of their working hours were among the proposals presented by a group of security agencies in a meeting with police Thursday after the fatal shootings in two branches of a popular mall that happened a week apart.

The incidents at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City on September 14 and SM Pampanga on September 20 prompted the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA)  to invite 30 mall security managers and agencies, including that of SM’s, to the Camp Crame national headquarters for their suggestions.

One of the proposals is the deployment of additional security guards in mall entrances because one isn’t enough, said Police Senior Inspector Buenaventura Viray Jr. of SOSIA.

Viray also said that there may be a need to cut the number of hours a security guard should stay in his post to preserve his good disposition.

He added that developing a proper attitude combined with an effective training was important.

Meanwhile, Colonel Samuel Espejo, Vice President of Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO) Inc. said the problem he saw with the security procedures during the two shooting incidents was the complacency of the guards in charge.

“It is indeed a lesson learned not just for the [SM] but for all of the agencies as well.”

Viray said the group was planning to formulate a new set of security procedures but no specific date was set as to when the final draft would be released.