Know your bombs: A workshop for mall guards

“What are security guards looking for when they check your vehicles at parking lots or search your bags at mall entrances? Do they really know what they’re looking for?”

Quezon City Police District director Senior Supt. Richard Albano raised this question—one shared by many mall shoppers—as he explained the objective a recent two-day workshop conducted by the QCPD for private guards manning commercial establishments.

Held on Thursday and Friday, workshop on bomb identification and detection should help them intercept even improvised explosive devices or IEDs and other weapons, he said.

The workshop also tackled protocols on handling such scenarios, especially on calling for police assistance, cordoning off areas and evacuating people.

In attendance were security officials of SM North Edsa, Trinoma, Waltermart, Jackman, Circle C Mall, SM Novaliches, Nova Mall, Savemore, SM Gotesco, Araneta Center, Araneta Bus Terminal, Manila Water Inc., Shoppesville, Eton Centris, National Bookstore, Hi Top Supermarket, Rustans Supermarket, CMP Security Agency, Megaworld Eastwood, De Caliber, Sascor and King Eleazar Security Agency. Julie Aurelio