SM Megamall dismisses guard in viral video with sampaguita vendor

SM Megamall fires guard in viral video with sampaguita vendor

SM Megamall has dismissed the security guard who was seen in a viral video kicking a girl and destroying her sampaguita outside their establishment.

“We regret and sympathize with the young girl who experienced an unfortunate incident outside our mall,” SM Megamall said in a statement on Thursday.

“We have called the attention of the security agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. The security guard has been dismissed and will no longer be allowed to service any of our malls,” it added.

SM Megamall said they “strongly condemn his act committed against her” as SM Supermalls “always promotes inclusivity for all.”

The viral video shows a security guard arguing with a young sampaguita vendor wearing a school uniform. When the girl stood up, the security guard suddenly snatched and destroyed her bundles of sampaguita.

The girl hit the security guard with the destroyed flowers while the guard retaliated physically.

Meanwhile, an administrative investigation has been launched against the security guard, according to the Philippine National Police - Civil Security Group (CSG).

The CSG said its Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) is looking into possible liabilities of the security guard and his agency due to the incident.

“Agad-agad po inaksyunan ng opisina ng SOSIA ang nasabing insidente,” CSG public information office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Eudisan Gultiano told GMA News Online in a message.

(The SOSIA office immediately took action.)

“Sila po ay kasalukuyan isinisagawa ang administrative investigation laban sa gwardia at ang maaring pananagutan nito at ng kanyang ahensya,” she added.

(They are currently conducting an administrative investigation against the guard and his possible liabilities and his agency.)

Gultiano said the office will be fair and swift with its probe into the incident.

--Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News