Boracay
needs armed security guards – PNP
BORACAY – The Philippine National Police
(PNP) is standing pat on its policy allowing armed security
guards in this popular island resort despite a recent recommendation
from a government official to disarm them.
The proposal to disarm the security guards
here was triggered by a series of killings arising from land
disputes. Security guards hired by the warring landowners
figured in the violence.
Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, Aklan police
director, said PNP Director Gen. Avelino Razon sought his
opinion on Presidential Assistant for Boracay Affairs chief
Virtus Gil’s request to disarm Boracay security guards.
“I have nothing personal against Gil
in rejecting his proposal. Based on our study, we need armed
security guards in Boracay. We consider them as partners and
force multipliers that we can mobilize during security problems,”
Durana said.
He is amenable to the idea of disarming security
guards only if the island’s security measures have been
really strengthened.
In May this year, no less than Western Visayas
Police Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas clarified that
security guards on duty in Boracay may carry firearms.
He cited Republic Act 5487 (The Private Security
Act) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations which provide
that: “Private Security Agencies, Private Detective
Agencies, Company Security Forces, and Government Security
Units are entitled and allowed to possess firearms to be used
by its duly licensed and trained security guards or watchmen
while performing their duties.”
Banning security guards from carrying their
guns would defeat the purpose of the law that “no establishments
or clients on their right mind would hire the services of
these unarmed security guards to protect their properties
or interest,” Cuevas explained.
“While there were unfortunate cases
in Boracay involving security guards, these were but isolated
(cases),” Cuevas said.
Those incidents were acted upon and solved
immediately, he added.
Instead of the ban, Cuevas ordered the strict
implementation of measures to deter incidents involving security
guards, like close monitoring of unauthorized carrying of
firearms and the conduct of “pulong-pulong” to
the different security agencies on the island; and conduct
of periodic and non-periodic inspections on all security agencies
and security guards assigned in the island to ensure their
compliance with the provisions of the law.
He also stressed the strict implementation
of RA 5487, especially on the selection process and compliance
on the training of security guards such as gun safety seminar,
disaster response, first responder's training./PN
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