Security agencies urged to adopt stricter requirements for guards

MANILA, Philippines – Security agencies were urged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to impose higher requirements on security guards and make them more professional to prevent lapses  in security especially in commercial establishments.

“[Security agencies] should raise the professionalism of security guards, because right now a high school graduate is eligible already, and the [age requirement is] just 19 years old,” Chief Superintendent Thomas Rentoy III of the PNP-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM Thursday.

The age requirement should be raised to at least 21 years old and the applicant must have reached at least second year college, Rentoy said.

“Hindi sila professional, kulang sa pag-aaral, kulang sa edad, kaya minsan ay maraming pasaway na security guard (They are not professional, lack education, are underaged, so many of them  are not fit for the job), ” he said.

PNP-SOSIA has called for a conference with security agencies and mall security managers after armed robbers managed to enter SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City over the weekend and take off with at least 176 pieces of jewelry.

Several security lapses that allowed the robbers to bring a gun inside were found by police investigators.

The management of SM Megamall had earlier issued a statement saying they have taken the proper measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

“We assure the public, including SM employees and tenants, that management invests on security prevention assets and policies including training, security devices and security personnel. SM Megamall management shall ensure that all Security personnel shall constantly perform their duties diligently to ensure safety and security at all times,” SM said in their statement.