1,000 security agencies have expired licenses

A police official warned yesterday some 1,000 security agencies operating with expired licenses that they would be dissolved and their firearms seized in favor of the government.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, Philippine National Police civil security group director, said more than half of the 2,120 registered security agencies have not renewed their licenses.

"There were a total of 1,000 security agencies which have not renewed their licenses," he said.

"They may have opted not to (renew) or deliberately neglected their duties, but we have to be careful, that is why we are now conducting nationwide inspections."

Caringal said he has ordered the renewed crackdown on these security agencies to prevent them from being used as private armies.

"We have to regulate these agencies because they are our partners in the maintenance of peace and order," he said.

"If these offices fail to comply with the requirements, then what kind of agencies do we have outside manning several of the major establishments in the country?" Caringal said the licenses of 604 of the 1,304 regular security agencies and 428 of the 800 operating with temporary permits have already lapsed.

"They should be able to renew," he said.

"Otherwise, their operations will be considered illegal. They are required to undergo necessary inspections to determine the capability and readiness of their personnel."

Security agencies must renew their licenses every two years to be able to continue to operate.

Regular licenses are issued to security agencies employing more than 200 guards and holding enough firearms as required under PNP regulations.

A security agency having 100 but less than 200 guards is given a temporary permit until it can meet the needed number of personnel and firepower capability. — Christina Mendez