Agencies urged: Let security guards undergo neuro exam

CEBU, Philippines - Alarmed by the string of killings in Cebu involving security guards, the Provincial Board is calling on security agencies to subject their personnel to neuropsychiatric examination to determine their mental capacity.

 Board Member Thadeo Jovito Ouano said among the reasons that prompted them to come up their call was the report about the fatal shooting of father and son lawyers in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City last December 22.

 Jonathan Sanchez, a security guard, shot lawyers Goering and Gerik Paderanga reportedly due to a parking altercation outside their law office. The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital where the elder Paderanga, Goering, was declared dead, while Gerik died three days after he was shot.

 Weeks before this, another security guard John Carlo Espinosa, 24, shot his fellow guard dead inside a convenience store in I.T. Park where they are working.

 "Due to alarming spate of killings these days, the security agencies shall closely scrutinize guard applicants through submitting themselves to neuropsychiatric examination," Ouano, who authored the measure, said.

 Once the security guard is hired, the guard will undergo the examination regularly "to closely monitor his/her mental health."

 Security firms should ensure that their personnel will not be the ones to endanger the lives of people, especially the innocent.

 Ouano invoked Rule 5, Sections 3,4,5,6 and 10 of the Republic Act 5487, which states that "no person shall be licensed as private security guard, security officer, security consultants, private detective and government security personnel unless he is physically and mentally fit."

 Rule 5, Section 12 of the same law also provides that the new applicants shall secure a neuropsychiatric test clearance and file their application with the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Sections (FESAGS), Regional Operation and Plans Division (ROPD) of the Police Regional Office.

 Section 13, meanwhile, states that renewal of license to exercise profession shall have the same requirements of securing such test. (FREEMAN)