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Friday, March 19, 2004
American nabbed over unlicensed security firm
By Rex C. Otero
DAVAO CITY -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11 agents arrested Thursday a former US Army soldier for allegedly conducting security services consultation and training in Davao City without the necessary license from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame.
Arrested was Michael Timothy Murrell, 39, American national, security consultant and one of the board of directors of the Self Protect Inc. (SPI) in Bugac, Ma-a.
The SPI is reportedly conducting specialized training program on closed quarter battle, special response team and advanced tactical handgun.
Murrell was arrested in an entrapment operation at around 11:45 a.m. in one of the local malls.
Recovered from Murrell was marked money amounting to P140,000.
Murrell presented to the authorities a certificate of registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission dated Jan. 28, 2004.
According to Sr. Supt. Jose Pante, CIDG 11 chief, SPI should have obtained a license to operate from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Security Agency and Guard Supervision Division's Civil Security Group.
Pante said Murrell has been placed under CIDG surveillance for almost a month prior to his arrest.
Murrel's companion, a British national identified as Paul Smith, is also under CIDG surveillance. Reports said Smith is also a member of the SPI board.
Murrel is now detained at CIDG and is awaiting the filing of violation of the Private Security Agency Law against him.
The law regulates the organization and operation of private detective, watchman or security guard agencies.
Records of Murrell at the Bureau of Immigration are also being verified. With AAG
(March 19, 2004 issue)
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