Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Baluran seeks probe on malls' security policies By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO City Councilor Conrado Baluran sought Tuesday an investigation of security guidelines implemented by Davao City's shopping malls after Councilor Rachel Zozobrado complained in a privilege speech that she and her children were not allowed to get out of a mall during a power interruption last Saturday.
Zozobrado said it was at around 1 p.m. when a power interruption happened at one of the malls in the city.
"The entire area was rendered almost pitch black as there were no emergency lights. The store's only sources of light, albeit dim and yellowish, were flashlights of department store clerks and the light peeking from the exit to the third floor parking area," Zozobrado narrated.
She claimed minutes had passed without any sign of electricity coming back, she then guided her already panic-stricken children to the third floor parking exit.
"Upon reaching the exit, however, I noticed at least 30 disgruntled and distressed people. To my shock, I discovered that a security guard was barricading the glass door and preventing them from getting out, while three other guards were standing by the stairs near the exit doors," Zozobrado said.
She said she asked why the guard would not let them out, but the guard just brusquely retorted that it was their policy not to let the people out during power interruptions.
Zozobrado said she pointed out to the guard that it was an unsafe policy and suggested along with the others that the guards allow them to get out, but not before checking their bags or frisking them, to ensure nothing was stolen.
But still the guard remained firm on the policy, Zozobrado said.
"For almost ten minutes, we were locked in a darkened mall. Our pleas to be let out as the darkened surroundings were beginning to create panic among shoppers, especially young children, fell on deaf ears. Those were perhaps the longest, most nerve-wracking and frustrating minutes of my life," Zozobrado recounted.
She said she does not begrudge the management of their right to protect their property but added that the exercise of such right should not be detrimental to public safety.
"Life should be paramount over property," Zozobrado stressed, saying that the incident exposed the people to possible harm.
"Imagine what would have happened if somebody pulled a prank and created panic. What would have happened if a slight tremor occurred? What if the blackout preceded an explosion?" she said.
"On that situation, frisking people one by one but allowing them to get out was the better security policy. Forcibly detaining them until the lights resumed was incredibly careless and without regard to the shopper's safety whatsoever," Zozbrado said.
After Zozobrado's speech, Baluran moved that the matter be endorsed to the committee on peace and public safety chaired by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang for an investigation.
"As stated in our house rules, privilege speeches can be moved to the proper committee. This incident brought trauma to children and the people inside the area thus it should be properly investigated, including all malls in the city," Baluran said.
Councilor Peter Lavina added to the motion by suggesting that a review of contingency measures in all service establishments in the city should be made.
Councilor Diosdado Mahipus, however, said the conduct of probe should be in connection with or in aid of legislation as not to encroach on other branches of government.
Vice Mayor Sara Duterte also said the privilege speech will be endorsed to council secretay Zuleika Lopez and it will be under her discretion if she will furnish the executive department with a copy. This as Dayanghirang also suggested that the Office of the City Mayor should be appraised of the situation.
