Viral sampaguita vendor summoned for PNP's SOSIA probe

The sampaguita vendor, who was seen in a viral video fighting a security guard outside a mall, will be summoned for the preliminary investigation into the incident, the Philippine National Police - Civil Security Group (CSG) said on Tuesday.

CSG public information office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Eudisan Gultiano said their Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) will issue the notice.

“Kasama din po sa magiging aksyon ng ating evaluator or ng SOSIA ay magpadala rin tayo ng notice o summon sa babaeng nakikita natin sa video para din mabigyan siya oportunidad na ma-hear ang kanyang side naman,” Gultiano told reporters.

(Our evaluator or SOSIA will also send a notice or summons to the woman we see in the video to give her the opportunity to hear her side.)

The security guard and his agency appeared at the SOSIA on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation. They are expected to submit their counter affidavit on January 23.

Based on the viral video, the security guard was arguing with the sampaguita vendor who was in high school uniform.

When the girl stood up, the security guard suddenly snatched and destroyed her bundles of sampaguita. The girl hit the security guard with the destroyed flowers while the guard retaliated physically.

The sampaguita vendor turned out to be a 22-year-old first-year medical technology student. According to her parents, she was wearing a high school uniform to attract customers. She is a scholar and selling flowers on the side to cover her tuition, travel, and daily expenses.

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

The CSG reminded all private security professionals (PSP) to observe the PSP Creed as well as the Code of Ethical Standards in their profession.

The security guard's company, Redeye Management, said it is conducting “due process” as it apologized for the incident.

“We sincerely apologize for the actions displayed in the video and assure everyone that we are already conducting due process with the guard involved,” the company said.

“May this serve as a reminder to all agencies of the values we must uphold in performing our duties. It is crucial to prioritize de-escalation and avoid letting emotions take control of our actions,” it added.

Redeye assured that their guards will be reminded to “act with empathy, compassion, and professionalism” and said that they were committed to inclusivity.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News