Stresses vital role of security guards as frontliners in helping maintain public order

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go commended the recent enactment of the Private Security Services Industry Act of 2022, which shall significantly strengthen the regulation of the private security services industry in the country.

Go is co-sponsor of said measure, which became Republic Act No. 11917 last July 30. The new law repealed RA No. 5487.

Under the Act, the private security services industry shall be enhanced to ensure more competent private security personnel and professionals who shall complement the country’s law enforcement authorities in the preservation of public order.

“Alam naman po natin kung gaano kahalaga ang ginagampanan ng mga security guards bilang frontliners. Katulad po ng mga pulis at militar, malaki rin po ang kanilang kontribusyon sa peace and order kahit na po sa maliliit na komunidad,” expressed Go.

To ensure high quality standards of Filipino security guards, the law mandates all private security agencies (PSA) to be 100 percent-owned and controlled by a Filipino citizen. PSAs shall also have a maximum of 2,000 security personnel.

Furthermore, it streamlines the process for those who wish to apply for a security personnel job. Applicants must be of legal age, physically and mentally fit, of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime.

The Act also aims to improve the capabilities of Filipino security guards by providing necessary training and education programs, including basic security guard courses, specialized security guard courses, security officers training, detective training, and candidate protection agent courses.

“Hindi po natin dapat minamaliit ang trabaho ng isang security guard. Sila po ang dahilan kung bakit ligtas ang ating mga establisyemento dahil sila rin po ay nagbubuwis ng kanilang buhay para sa ating mga kababayan,” Go underscored.

“Kung maaalala po natin yung nangyari sa Ateneo shooting incident na may nadamay na security guard, huwag na po natin sana hayaan na mangyari yun. Kaya naman malaki ang aking tiwala na mas marami pang PSA at security personnel ang makikinabang sa pagtatatag ng batas na ito,” he added.

In line with his commitment to protect the welfare and interests of the country’s uniformed personnel, Go filed Senate Bill No. 422 which shall provide free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or Philippine National Police, who is facing before the prosecutor’s office, court or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty.

“Palaging nasa frontline natin ang ating mga kapulisan at mga sundalo sa kampanya ng pamahalaan upang masiguro na ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan mula sa banta ng mga kriminal, lalo na ang mga drug syndicates at mga terorista,” cited Go.

“Sa pagbibigay natin ng free legal assistance, malaking tulong na po ito sa ating mga sundalo at mga pulis na patuloy na nagsasakripisyo ng kanilang buhay para lang maprotektahan ang ating mga mamamayan,” he stresed.