More security guards ready to sue owners of security agency

TWELVE more security guards will file a case against the owners of Sarsalejo Security Agency Inc. in Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City for allegedly not remitting their monthly Social Security System (SSS) contribution.

Jonnifer Sarsalejo, 45, and his wife Arne, 48, were arrested on Wednesday morning, March 15, 2023, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Mandaue City Regional Trial Court Branch 56 Judge Chonita Lara Maagad on Tuesday, March 14.

The accused are facing charges for allegedly violating Section 28(e) of Republic Act 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018.

Jo Cleo Ripdos, former operations manager of the security agency, told Superbalita Cebu that the 12 security guards’ complaints also include the non-remittance of Philhealth contributions and other deductions.

“Hustisya ra jud ang amo gipangita ug unta mahimo kini nga ehemplo nga dili panamastamasan sa mapahimuslanong magpapatigayon,” he said.

(We are looking for justice and we hope that this will serve as an example to business owners who exploit their workers.)

He said the agency made other deductions from the security guards’ salaries for items like cash bonds, firearms bonds and sometimes donations.

“Wa nay written consent tanan. Sila-sila ra ang mo-deduct. Ang uban gipa-settle kunohay. Ilaron man niya og papirma nga makuha sa guard iyang cash bond and last pay if mopirma silag kasulatan and iuli ilang mga pay slip. Apan ilaron ang mga gwardya, moatras na lang sa kaso kay kuno nakapirma na sa desistance,” Ripdos said.

(There was no written consent at all. The owners did that by themselves. Others were supposedly settled. They tell the guards that they can get their cash bond and their last pay if they sign and return their pay slips. Guards who want to file a case are told that they already signed a desistance, so they don’t push through with it.)

Superbalita Cebu tried to call Jonnifer for his side on the matter, to no avail.

Jonnifer and his wife were released less than an hour after their arrest after posting a bail of P72,000. Jonnifer had said they were ready to face their charges in court. (GPL, PJB)