The Philippine National Police Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA) will be stricter in imposing requirements for security guard applicants after three dead members of a suspected terrorist group were confirmed to be licensed security guards in Parañaque, City.
“Based on record, 2 years ago ‘yung latest na approval ng kanilang license at mag-e-expire ito next year (Based on record, their latest license approval was 2 years ago and will expire next year).” PNP-SOSIA Director PCol. Sydney Villaflor disclosed.
Requirements for a more stringent screening include clearances from the Directorate for Intelligence, PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
According to PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP is investigating the process of hiring the said security guards. The PNP is also strangthening its operation against the security guards with unlicensed firearms. 584 guns were confiscated by authorities within a year. The organization will study if private security providers are liable for security guards with unlicensed firearms.
In relation with this, the PNP-SOSIA is looking into the “kambal baril scheme” where one serial number is used in several guns.
Report from Bea Bernardo
