The Philippine National Police (PNP) has decided to summon the sampaguita vendor involved in a recent altercation with a security guard at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. This move is part of the ongoing preliminary investigation into the incident, which gained widespread attention after a video of the event went viral on social media.
Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson for the PNP Civil Security Group, announced that the vendor will be asked to present her account of the events at the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA). Her testimony is crucial as it could influence the decision on whether to file an administrative complaint against the security guard, who has already appeared before the SOSIA with his supervisor and legal counsel.
Gultiano emphasized the importance of the vendor’s statement, stating, “Her account might affect our resolution of the case. It’s because we would base our probe on the account of the security guard.” He added that the investigation would continue even if the vendor does not appear, relying on the security guard’s affidavit submitted seven days prior.
The security guard and his agency are expected to submit their counter-affidavits by Thursday. Gultiano noted the guard’s willingness to cooperate, saying, “The security guard is willing to cooperate to clear his side but again, we are still on the preliminary evaluation phase. We will base on the counter-affidavit or other pieces of evidence that we would gather.”
The guard could face charges under Republic Act 11917, the Private Security Services Industry Act, which could result in the suspension of his license and fines for his agency. The viral video showed the vendor, dressed in a school uniform, sitting on the stairs outside the mall’s entrance. When the guard asked her to leave, she initially refused. Eventually, she stood up, and the guard grabbed her sampaguita garlands and appeared to attempt a kick, though he did not make contact. The vendor then struck the guard with the damaged garlands.
Following the incident, the mall management confirmed that the security guard involved has been dismissed.