'Viral' SM Megamall guard to be probed by PNP's SOSIA

An administrative investigation has been launched against the security guard who was seen in a viral video fighting a sampaguita vendor outside SM Megamall, the Philippine National Police - Civil Security Group (CSG) said on Thursday.

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.

The viral video shows the security guard arguing with the 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.

Due to the incident, SM Megamall said it has dismissed the security guard.

The CSG, meanwhile, reminded all private security professionals (PSP) to observe the PSP Creed as well as the Code of Ethical Standards in their profession.

'Due process'

Meanwhile, the security guard's company said it is now conducting “due process”.

In a statement on Thursday, Redeye Management apologized for the incident and said that they “deeply regret” the incident.

“We sincerely apologize for the actions displayed in the video and assure everyone that we are already conducting due process with the guard involved,” the company said.

“May this serve as a reminder to all agencies of the values we must uphold in performing our duties. It is crucial to prioritize de-escalation and avoid letting emotions take control of our actions,” it added.

Redeye assured that their guards will be reminded to “act with empathy, compassion, and professionalism,” and said that they were committed to inclusivity.

Earlier, SM Megamall condemned the incident and announced that the guard had been dismissed from service after he was seen kicking a girl and destroying her sampaguitas outside the mall establishment.

“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,” Megamall management said.
—With a report from Jiselle Casucian/VAL/RF, GMA Integrated News