House bill requires X-ray scanners in malls

After two separate shooting incidents in shopping malls this month, a lawmaker on Wednesday filed a bill seeking to require malls, groceries and banks to install X-ray security electronic scanners at their entrances. Lanao del Sur Rep. Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman filed House Bill (HB) 5342 mandating business establishments to have these devices to enable security officers and guards to inspect people’s belongings without making any physical contact. "Mall goers have gone through security checks before entering these shopping establishments. A lot have experienced annoyance, and even frustration when they submit themselves to inspections," Pangandaman said in the bill’s explanatory note. Pangandaman, who was accused of mauling a security guard earlier this month, added that he filed the measure to ensure that security officers will be able to perform inspections thoroughly. "We cannot just make these guards responsible for these kinds of events because of lack of training and gadgets to attend to their duties," he said. The measure was filed weeks after two separate shooting incidents in malls in Quezon City and Pampanga. Four people, including two teenagers, were killed in the incidents. Just last week, Malacañang asked mall owners to beef up security in shopping malls. Under HB 5342, mall owners who will violate provisions in the measure will be imprisoned for six months to a year. The bill will have to get committee and plenary approval at both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the President. Earlier this month, Pangandaman was accused by security guard Ricardo Bonayog of punching him twice during an altercation at a parking lot in Quezon City. Pangandaman has denied mauling Bonayog, who also refused to file charges against the lawmaker. — RSJ, GMA News