SM MEGAMALL has fired one of its security guards for assaulting a young girl who attempted to sell sampaguita within the mall’s premises.
In a statement Thursday, January 16, 2025, SM Megamall expressed strong condemnation of the incident, noting that it always promotes inclusivity for all.
“We regret and sympathize with the young girl who experienced an unfortunate incident outside our mall,” it said.
“We have called the attention of the security agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. The security guard has been dismissed and will no longer be allowed to service any of our malls,” it added.
In a viral video, the security guard hits and kicks a girl who is wearing a school uniform as he tries to drive her away, preventing her from selling sampaguita on the mall's premises.
The girl fights back as the security guard tries to snatch and destroy her sampaguita.
Meanwhile, in an interview, Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Security Group (CSG) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Eudisan Gultiano said they are already looking into the inciden,t which may result in the revocation of the guard’s license.
“So far, based on our assessment, sa video lang po makikita natin na may possible violation pagdating sa ‘yung conduct ng security guard, ‘yung decorum in the performance ng kanyang duty so may mga violation yan. Violation sa kanyang ethical standards, violation sa kanyang professional security creed and titingnan natin kung may violation ng special laws at puwede madagdag ‘yung sa administrative complaint sa Sosia (Supervisory Office On Security And Investigation Agency),” she said.
(So far, based on our assessment, we can see in the video that there may be a possible violation regarding the conduct of the security guard, particularly his decorum in the performance of his duty, so there are violations there. Violations of his ethical standards, violations of his professional security creed, and we will also check if there are violations of special laws. These could potentially add to the administrative complaint with Sosia.)
“Considering na medyo marami pong possible na maifile na cases, maaari pong ma-aggravate ito, maaari pong ma-impose siya ng penalty na suspension and puwede rin cancellation and revocation ng kanyang lisensya,” she added.
(Considering that there are quite a few possible cases that could be filed, this could be aggravated. He could be imposed a penalty such as suspension, and there is also the possibility of cancellation and revocation of his license.)
Gultiano said they are also looking into the possible liability of the security agency to which the involved security guard was affiliated.
In a message, Mandaluyong City Police Chief Colonel Grace Madayag said she has already directed investigators to probe the matter.
“Wala pa pong complainant, pero pinapunta ko sa Megamall ang investigators natin para ma identify sana ang bata. Pina-check ko na din sa local schools kung saan ang uniform na suot niya,” Madayag said.
(There is no complainant yet, but I have sent our investigators to Megamall to try to identify the child. I have also asked the local schools to check where the uniform he was wearing might be from.) (TPM/SunStar Philippines)