Establishment of gov�t security services at SBMA opposed

by FRED M. ROXAS

 

            SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales – Private security agencies yesterday opposed the planned establishment of a government- subsidized security services department at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to provide security to private locators inside the Freeport.

 

            At least 40 private security agencies in Central Luzon attended a meeting at the Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel here Tuesday to air their opposition to the proposed organization of the Freeport Integrated Security Services, Inc. (FISSI) which is being set-up as a subsidiary of the SBMA-controlled Free Port Service Corp. (FSC).

 

            Romeo P. Yusi Sr., president and chief executive officer of Angeles City-based Royal Security Agency (RSA) , Central Luzon’s largest security agency, said the proposed establishment of FISSI is against the law.

 

            Earlier, Col. Hiram Benatiro, former chief of the Supervisory Unit for Security and Investigation Agency (SUSIA) cited a provision in Republic Act 5487 or the Private Security Agency Act stating that a security agency to be organized by the government shall not operate as a private security agency in contracting security services with guards to secure private properties/premises, private residence and other functions performed by a private security agency.

 

            Yusi cited SBMA records that FSC functioned as a private security agency by providing security to private locators and residences at Subic Bay Freeport.

 

            FISSI is being established as a subsidiary of FSC, an organic division of SBMA’s Physical Security Department (PSD).

 

            Subsidized by the government, PSD was recently abolished and its staff terminated because of huge losses amounting to more than P3 million a month.

 

            Yusi cited a report that PSC was forced to secure a loan of P28 million from the Department of Budget and Management to pay of the salaries and benefits of PSD officers and employees.

 

            Officers of many private security agencies assured that they could provide necessary security and other allied services to private locators and duty-free shops and residences inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

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