Dasma Village to replace security agency in Mayor Binay tiff

(Updated 4:41 p.m., Jan. 15) Officials of the posh Makati subdivision, where Mayor Junjun Binay and his security detail were caught on CCTV camera in a gun-wielding incident, have decided to replace the security agency involved in the confrontation with Binay at one of the village gates.

 

In a January 14 circular, the Dasmariñas Village Association informed its residents that the “Right Eight Security Agency will be replaced by First Eagle Security Agency... to address the issue of loss of confidence” and that the transition to the new agency has been underway.

The security guards who were involved in the confrontation with Mayor Binay had been commended by the association for implementing subdivision rules, and even given gifts by residents and sympathetic strangers who felt they were bullied by the mayor.

However, Dasmariñas officials were outraged by the quick apology to Mayor Binay by Antonio, who told the media that VIPs should be given exceptions to the rules governing the entrance and exit to the community.

Security video

 

Last December, a security video surfaced and it purportedly showed Mayor Binay being prevented from passing through the village's Banyan gate last November 30 and minutes later a member of his security detail can be seen wielding a long firearm and an umbrella.

 

Video of the incident, which was first published on the Philippine Daily Inquirer website, shows Mayor Binay alighting from his vehicle and talking with the village security guards preventing his convoy from exiting through the village's Banyan gate. 

 

The DVA said in its circular bearing the name and signature of its president Jay Pantangco that their "loss of confidence" in Right Eight stems from “unauthorized and inaccurate representation of DVA to the (m)edia in matters pertaining to the November 30 Banyan gate incident...Right Eight management cited inaccurate policies involving VIPs.”

 

“Our existing policy covers the President and Vice President of the Philippines. On a case to case basis, exceptions are granted provided that ample lead time is given to DVA,” Pantangco said in the circular.

 

The Right Eight Security Agency Inc. had apologized for the incident.

 

"The reason we apologized is that we have an SOP (standard operating procedure) for three government officials. We extend courtesy, for security reasons, that goes for the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the Vice President, and the mayor of the area that we are guarding," said Ram Antonio, owner of the Right Eight Security Agency, in an interview with GMA News.

 

Right Eight security guards will apparently not lose their jobs. In the circular, Pantangco said Right Eight security guards “have been given priority to be absorbed by First Eagle Security to continue serving in Dasmariñas Village.”

"DVA has more than 60 guards manning the Village on a 24-hour basis daily and has a fire engine and ambulance ready to respond during emergencies," according to the village association via its website. — with Andreo Calonzo/ELR/LBG/RSJ, GMA News