Costumed security guards allowed but permit from SOSIA needed —PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday clarified that security guards may wear costumes during special occasions, as long as the malls or the security agencies they've tapped would first seek permission from the PNP-Supervisory Office on Security and Investigation Agency (SOSIA).

"Sinasabi nga, 'yung sa mga malls lalo na kung 'yung mga sinasabing mag-Santa uniform or Santa costume, puwede naman pong ipagpaalam 'yan sa SOSIA (PNP-Supervisory Office on Security and Investigation Agency) lalong-lalo na kung may request po 'yung agency at saka 'yung mall concerned," PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

"Yes wala naman pong masama 'yun. Remember 'pag tuwing sasapit ang Pasko, even 'yun pong PNP, kami, kung minsan, tinatawag nila kaming 'Santa cop,'" he added.

Albayalde however pointed out that if a security agency does not have a permission, the policy regarding the prescribed uniform should be followed.

"Unang-una, talaga pong sa polisiya, lalong-lalo na 'pag 'yung mga security guard naka-duty at nagbibitbit po ng baril, they should be in proper uniform. Wala pong pinag-iba sa amin 'yan na meron kaming sinusunod na tamang bihis. Na kapag ikaw ay naka-duty, kailangan nakatamang bihis ka, from head to foot po 'yon," he said.

Albayalde said the prescribed uniform policy was put in place to avoid security guards from being mistaken for criminals.

"Lalong-lalo na kapag ikaw ay nagbibitbit ng baril dahil iniiwasan po natin na 'yug isang security guard ay hindi naka-uniform tapos may bitbit na baril, baka mapagkamalan pa po 'yan."

For the PNP's part, Albayalde said it will be up to the regional directors if they will allow their police personnel to also wear costumes this Christmas season. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News