THE Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU)-Davao warned security agencies against employing security guards who lack License to Exercise Security Profession (Lesp) and whose firearms are unlicensed as their license to operate may be revoked if they continue to violate the law.
Lieutenant Colonel Julius Silagan, head of RCSU Unit, said Wednesday, March 4, that they are regularly conducting post to post inspection in various establishments that have security guards.
"Every establishment na may security guard pupuntahan namin to check whether or not 'yong guard na nag-post doon meron siyang security license and kung ang baril na hawak niya is licensed ba. Every time na mag conduct kami ng inspection dili gyud ma-zero. Naa gyud madakpan na its either naa siya'y license pero expired (Every time we conduct inspection we always apprehend guards who are either don't have license or expired license)," he said.
"There are penalties kung masakpan nga ang security guard gi-employ sa security agency nga walay license. Ang una first offense is P10,000, second offense higher amount P20,000 and third finally i-revoke ang iyang license to operate (LTO) which is administrative (There are penalties when a security agency employs unlicensed guard. First offense if P10,000, second offense has higher penalty at P20,000 and third, finally, their license to operate will be revoked, which is administrative offense)," he added.
The agency will then be facing criminal case and will no longer be allowed to conduct business once their LTO will be revoked.
"Ginabuhat namo na to maintain ma-aware ang security agencies nga dili sila basta-basta mukuha ug SG nga unlicensed (We do this to maintain the awareness of the security agencies not to employ unlicensed guards)," he added.
When a security guard is unlicensed that means he or she did not go through the proper screening or procedure such as drug test, neuro examination, among others.
Under the Republic Act No. 5487, otherwise known as the "The Private Security Agency Law," it provides that no person shall engage in the business of, or act either as a private detective, or detective agency; and either engage in the occupation, calling or employment of watchman or in the business of watchman's agency without first having obtained the necessary permit from the Chief, Philippine Constabulary which permit as approved is prerequisite in obtaining a license or license certificate. (JCR)