OFFICIALS of Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon have asked security guards to assist the law enforcers in fighting all forms of crimes.
Top officers of the Region 3 police office in Camp Olivas, under the leadership of Brigadier General Matthew Baccay, made this appeal to the "blue guards" during the Joint Tactical Inspection conducted by SM Supermalls at the Bayanihan Park in Barangay Balibago yesterday.
Colonel Noli Asuncion, newly installed chief of the Regional Civil Security Unit (RSCU), said the police and security forces are being preared hand in hand in anti-crime drive.
"We will be bridging the gap for the Ugnayang Pangpulisya with security personnel. Makikita natin diyan yung mga pulis nagro-roving sa gabi. So dapat alam natin na may mga pulis pala diyan and dapat may opportunity tayo to talk with them and simply ask kung ano yung situation. Security guards play an important role in crime prevention, according to Asuncion.
"Mahalaga ang part ng security guard, bakit? If we have for example 500 [policemen] in Angeles, and number ng ating security guard ay almost double," the RCSU chief said.
"Take note, mayroon din kayong firearms and you can engage with any criminal on your sight or while you are on duty. Kaya bilang inyong RCSU, diyan po yung naka-program na palakasin natin and yung ating upliftment. We start with the way we dress and represent ourselves, yung ating security profession," Asuncion added.
Baccay, who was represented by Asuncion in the event, stated that the primary purpose of mall security officers is to ensure the safety and security of mall patrons and employees and protect mall property from theft or damage.
The regional police director made an assurance that the Central Luzon police force will continue to do its job to maintain peace and order in the region including the safety of mall goers.
"Together we work closely to ensure that everyone who shops and works at mall is safe from harm," Baccay said.
He urged the security guards to do their job with integrity and sincerity and dedication.
"Hinihimok ko ang bawat isa sa inyo na panatilihin ang pagtitiwala sa inyong kapulisan at tayo ay magtulungan upang makamtan natin ang adhikaing ito," Baccay said.
Engineer Junias Eusebio, SM's assistant vice president for mall operations, commended the malls security officers and employees for their dedication to their respective jobs.
"We cannot run our malls succesfully without you doing the best of your abilities and duties to keep our customers feeling safe and secure," he said.
During the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, Eusebio said their ability to adopt was tested.
"And now, as we continue to recover from the pandemic, we should be hand in hand in keeping our service to be Number 1 in the hearts and minds of our customers," he said.
"With the power of social media, instead of fake news or negative publicity, what we look forward to is for our community to share their good and best experiences in SM from all our frontiers," Eusebio added.
Engineer Bien C. Mateo, SM Senior Vice President for Mall Operations, said that their mall security personnel and staff are well-trained on first aid, security, social interaction, treatment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) among other related skills.
Because of this, Mateo told the security guards and mall staff to be proud to respond that they work at SM when somebody asked where they work.