Police to agencies: Issue firearms to guards

POLICE urged security agencies to issue firearms to their security guards.

The call came after security guard William Baldado, 26, was shot dead by two men last Sunday.

Police said Baldado was not able to retaliate as the GDS Security Agency did not issue firearm to him.

Baldado was detailed at the La Nueva warehouse in Cebu City.

Police identified the assailants as Ericson Manait, 24, and Juanito Lauza, 24, who were arrested in a follow-up operation.

Police said the attack was a case of paregla or random violence.

Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said security guards must be issued with firearms so they could properly secure the establishment they are watching.

Security guards should also be armed since they serve as police reinforcement, said Buenafe.

Buenafe said it is the job of the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervisory Section to check whether security guards are issued firearms by their agencies./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON