Guard goes wild at security agency

MANILA, Philippines - A standoff occurred at the compound of a security agency in Quezon City yesterday between a guard, who snatched and fired a gun after failing to secure a cash advance to pay for his children’s tuition, and fellow guards who were ready to shoot him.

The drama at the compound on Murphy street in Cubao, Quezon City lasted for about two hours when Orland Ventura, 48, grew desperate over the P5,000 he needed for his children’s schooling.

Superintendent Ramon Pranada, commander of the Quezon City Police District Station 7, had to negotiate with Ventura from the window of an adjacent house as the gates of Readyman Manpower Agency had been locked.

Ventura belongs to the Early Matrix Security, which provides services to Readyman Manpower Agency. The guard, who earns a salary of P12,000, told police he also works as a driver for the security agency.

Ventura had just come back from a leave of absence, which he had extended for a day before finally reporting for work. But at around 7:20 a.m., an argument ensued after Ventura asked his supervisor, Roberto Nazario, to give him a cash advance of P5,000.

“He (Ventura) had pawned his ATM card and could not immediately find the person holding it,” Pranada said, referring to the practice of workers using their ATM card as collateral to get a loan.

Trigger

Ventura’s fellow guards made snide comments about his borrowing money after having just come back from a leave of absence. The co-workers also teased Ventura that he was already jobless since he technically went AWOL (absent without official leave) since his additional day of absence was not covered by his leave.

As Nazario was about to board a Toyota Innova, Ventura ran after him. He opened the driver’s side door and snatched a shotgun from its place near the driver’s foot. His action caused almost everyone in the vicinity, including the driver and Nazario, to scamper.

Four guards were quick enough to respond and as Ventura saw one of the guards, Michael Cantos, draw his firearm, he shot at Cantos but missed. The bullet hit a glass pane, which shattered, shards hitting Cantos in the face.

Policemen were eventually called in, with negotiations starting at around 8 a.m. According to Pranada, Ventura seemed cooperative, telling them he was not mad at the police but at the security agency.

“I initially talked to him from the window of a nearby house. Eventually, I went to the garage’s rooftop,” Pranada said.

The police official then jumped from the roof and walked until he was face to face with the armed suspect, eventually convincing him to give up his gun. Pranada eventually accompanied the suspect to the guards’ barracks before he was brought to the police station at around 9 a.m.

While the company was determined to file a case against Ventura, the suspect also told police he wanted to press charges, claiming one of the four guards also shot at him.