Dasmariñas Village to guards: Good job

MANILA, Philippines – The 4 security guards of Dasmariñas Village were commended by village residents for standing up to Mayor Junjun Binay and his bodyguards last November 30.

The village guards prevented a 4-car convoy of the mayor from exiting through the Banyan Road gate close to midnight because it is supposed to be used solely as entrance to Dasmariñas after 10 pm.

In a letter dated December 23, Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) president Jay Pantangco said, “Dasmariñas Village is a private subdivision governed by existing policies and procedures determined by the elected Board of Governors. DVA stands by the actions of our security guards, who in performing their duty, upheld DVA’s existing policy and procedure during the incident. The DVA board is still fully committed to continue to uphold our policies for the security and safety of our residents.”

The 4 guards still continue their duty and have been given commendations and gifts by the Dasmariñas residents, Pantangco, representing the DVA Board of Governors, wrote.

CCTV footage uploaded by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Wednesday, December 18, showed Binay stepping out of the lead car to speak with the village guards. His sister Senator Nancy Binay was part of the convoy.

Makati police in uniform later came, supposedly to “diffuse tension.” Binay’s convoy was eventually allowed to exit at the same gate after the arrival of Makati policemen. (READ: Binay at Dasmariñas village: What really happened)

Ram Antonio, president of village security agency Right Eight Security Inc later said his men went to the police to issue a statement since it is standard operation procedure (SOP) for guards to communicate and coordinate closely with city police.

Antonio also said it’s SOP to allow the president, vice president, and the mayor of the city or municipality they are part of to pass through any of the village gates, without question. “The mayor is like the president of the city, the head,” Antonio said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano weighed in on the incident, saying it ran counter to President Benigno Aquino III’s campaign against the wang-wang mentality or the abuse of power and sense of entitlement by politicians. – Rappler.com