The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday revealed that it will summon the sampaguita vendor who was accosted by a mall security guard in Mandaluyong City as part of its preliminary investigation into the incident.
PNP Civil Security Group spokesperson Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano disclosed that the vendor will be invited to appear before the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA).
“Her side of the story will help determine whether there is probable cause to file an administrative complaint against the security guard,” Gultiano said.
To recall, the security guard, along with his agency supervisor and a lawyer, appeared before SOSIA on Monday.
“If the vendor does not appear, the preliminary investigation will still proceed based on the security guard’s account, seven days after the submission of his affidavit,” Gultiano said.
The security guard and his agency are expected to submit their counter-affidavits by Thursday.
“The security guard is willing to cooperate to clear his side, but again, we are still on the preliminary evaluation phase,” Gultiano said. “We will base on the counter-affidavit or other pieces of evidence that we would gather.”
He added that the security guard could be liable for violating Republic Act 11917, the Private Security Services Industry Act.
Sanctions may include the suspension of the security guard’s license and a fine for the security agency.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed the school uniform-clad vendor sitting outside the stairs by the mall’s entrance. The guard apparently asked her to leave, but the woman, reportedly aged 22, initially refused.
When she finally stood up, the guard grabbed the sampaguita garlands and appeared to kick the vendor, though it is unclear if he made contact. The vendor retaliated by striking the guard repeatedly with her hands.