Philippine National Police (PNP) Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) on Wednesday issued a directive to all malls security guards to carry firearms.

"Today we will be issuing a directive requiring all the security guards in the malls to bear firearms. Guards posted in malls should also undergo a specialized course on mall security," Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, director of PNP-SOSIA said on Wednesday after meeting with 12 security managers of security agencies from different malls in Metro Manila

Rentoy said many security agencies refuse to arm their guards inside malls for fear of scaring off customers, but he said these should actually make mall-goers feel safer.

In related development, the Makati City Police has heightened security at the central business district and in the city's biggest shopping malls.

The Makati Police on Wednesday intensified its partnership with shopping malls and central business district's security forces with the launching of its Makati Central Business District-Joint Security System Program (MCBD-JSSP).

Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban, chief of the Makati City Police, said under the program, security officers will be trained on how to detect would be criminals and protect their clients.

Among those who participated in the program are the security personnel from Ayala Security Forces, San Lorenzo Bantay Bayan, Makati Parking Authority (MPA), Makati Public Safety (MAPSA) and Makati City Police.

As part of the program, Lukban said the Makati City Police will be deploying teams in the biggest shopping malls in the city such as Greenbelt, Rustan's, Shoe Mart, Land Mark and Glorietta, as well as in the Stock Exchange.

He said the team will be composed of two personnel from the Makati City Police and will be augmented by personnel from either MPA or MAPSA and the central business district's security men.

The security officers, Lukban added, will also be trained on how to block the escaping lawless elements, how to protect their clients in times of the attack and how to fire guns.

Lukban said they will also be requiring shopping malls to assign personnel in their Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera command center to monitor the people entering the establishment.

At the same time, the Makati Police also launched its C-3 program wherein a common radio frequency will be used by all security personnel in the central business district.