MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will summon the female sampaguita vendor involved in a recent altercation with a mall security guard at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, as part of its ongoing investigation.
Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson for the PNP Civil Security Group, announced on Tuesday that the vendor would be invited to provide her account of the incident before the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA). This is essential in determining whether an administrative complaint will be filed against the security guard.
The security guard and his agency, who both appeared before SOSIA on Monday, are expected to submit their counter-affidavits by Thursday. Gultiano emphasized that the outcome of the investigation will largely depend on the vendor’s testimony, although the inquiry will continue based on the guard’s version of events if she does not cooperate.
The guard could face penalties under Republic Act 11917 (the Private Security Services Industry Act), including potential suspension of his license and a fine for his agency.
A viral video of the incident, which occurred outside the mall’s entrance, showed the vendor sitting near the stairs. When asked to leave, she resisted, and the guard reportedly attempted to grab her sampaguita garlands, allegedly kicking her without making physical contact. The vendor responded by hitting the guard with the garlands.
Mall management has since dismissed the security guard.
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