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Security guards played pivotal roles in the capture of members of the Casimero Garcia Robbery Group, a gang notorious for its brazen attacks on guards during robberies.

It was a security guard from a nearby establishment that wounded members of the group, leading to their arrest.

It was another security guard that gave a tip to authorities in Bohol that group leader Garcia and two other companions checked into the Escaya Beach Resort in Barangay Tawala, Panglao.

With these incidents, Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (Fesagss) 7 Chief Rey Lyndon Lawas recommended that the security guards be given commendations.

Lawas particularly noted the guard who was not assigned to the Bank of Commerce in Tagbilaran City and yet fought the group following last Tuesday’s robbery.

Lawas still has to receive a report from the Bohol Provincial Office on the identity of the guard, though.

Two security guards—Terson Poledo and Meliton Lamoste—were injured in the shootout, while another one, Remegio Cajes, was killed.

Concentrate

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim offered assistance for the two wounded guards and assured that Cajes’ children will finish college.

A top police official in the region asked establishments not to let their security guards do jobs like sweeping floors, carrying belongings, flagging taxis for employers, and even acting as waiters.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Deputy Director for Administration Ronald Roderos said guards should concentrate on what
they are hired to do.

Roderos said he wants to give a commendation to the civilian tipster who led policemen to members of the group.

Lawas said he will study what appropriate medal can be given to the guards.

He will also ask the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators Inc. (Padpao) to give a cash reward, if possible.

“They are part of the support group as we have the same goal—the protection of lives. They play a vital role in the maintenance of peace and order,” Lawas said.

In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña also reminded security agencies and their clients to train their guards so they are able to fight back, instead of surrendering to robbers.

He congratulated Bohol authorities for the capture of Casimero “Meloy” Garcia and most members of his group, saying robberies will stop in Cebu “until the formation of the next group.”

“Good thing that the group did not survive long. I congratulate the Bohol police. But give the credit to the security guards who were able to fight back and injure one of them (robbers),” he said.

At the Capitol, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also commended police for capturing members of the group.

Garcia said that in the next meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council, which she heads, she will make sure that proper commendations will be given to those who should be recognized for the arrest of the robbers.

Roderos, meanwhile, ordered Padpao and Fessags to attend the next meeting of the Cebu Bankers Club (CBC).

He said Padpao should be more active in monitoring its ranks and the Fessags in supervising the guards in the light of recent bank robberies, one of which was staged with the help of a former security guard.

Police have tagged a former guard as one of five suspects in the P2.5-million robbery of a Metrobank collection teller outside La Nueva Supermart within the vicinity of the Cebu City Hall last Aug. 13.

Roderos said he will also join the CBC meeting, held every first week of the month.

He also said that the security agency that provided guards to the Peninsula Rural Bank Inc. (Penbank) Ibabao branch in Mandaue City is under investigation after two men armed with pistols robbed it of P2.5 million last Aug. 21.

29,000 guards

He said the agency should explain why it failed to replace as sentinel the bank’s guard, who left his post for a toilet break.

Roderos said that Padpao, Fessags, and CBC members need to meet to thresh out security problems.

He said the region’s 29,000 security guards, if they are tapped, are capable of holding their own against robbers.

Osmeña agreed. He said security agencies should spend for their guards’ training, especially on marksmanship, so they could fight “seasoned, ex-military robbers.”

Cresencio Reguya, who was among those tagged as suspects in the La Nueva robbery, is a former Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit member.

The mayor suggested that security agencies be ranked according to their security guards’ firing proficiency to guide
prospective clients whom to pick.

Lawas said that with the proper guidance, security guards can assist policemen.

In Central Visayas, there are 29,000 private security guards. There are 92 private security agencies and 88 agencies based outside Central Visayas that deploy security guards in the region. (RHM/JGA/with MBG)

source: Sun Star Daily Cebu

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