Sampaguita vendor in viral video a real student, not part of syndicate — police

The sampaguita vendor who was confronted and kicked by a security guard outside a shopping mall is a bona fide student and not a part of a syndicate, the Mandaluyong City police said Friday.

"'Yung bata po ay totoo pong estudyante (The young girl is a real student)," Mandaluyong City Police chief Police Colonel Mary Grace Madayag told reporters.

Sampaguita girl na tinaboy ng gwardya sa isang mall, lehitimong estudyante at hindi myembro ng sindikato ayon sa Mandaluyong Police @dzbb @gmanews pic.twitter.com/GvOXDBqL6s

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) January 17, 2025

The vendor, whose altercation with the security guard was captured on viral video, is an 18-year-old scholar of a private institution and sells sampaguita on the side to pay for her educational needs, according to Madayag.

Her family's house was recently demolished as confirmed by the barangay government, Madayag added.

"In fact nga po, siya po ay iskolar ng isang private institution at matalinong bata, at nagsusumikap lamang po na madagdagan 'yung mga pangangailangan nila sa kanilang eskuwela," the police official said.

(In fact, she is a scholar of a private institution and a smart kid, and she is just trying to have extra income for her needs in school.)

"Kaka-demolish lang daw po ng bahay nila at 'yun po ay pinatunayan din ng barangay kung saan po nakausap din po namin 'yung barangay kung saan sila nakatira," she added.

(Their house had just been demolished, which was confirmed by their barangay.)

In the video, the security guard was seen arguing with the vendor who was dressed in a school uniform at SM Megamall.

When she stood up, the security guard suddenly snatched and destroyed her garlands of sampaguita. The vendor hit the security guard with the remaining flowers as the guard retaliated physically.

Due to the incident, SM Megamall said it has dismissed the security guard.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Security Group (CSG) said an administrative investigation has been launched to look into the possible liabilities of the security guard and his security agency about the matter.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has already provided an initial aid of P20,000 to the family of the student. — VDV, GMA Integrated News