The police Civil Security Group (CSG) announced that the sampaguita vendor who was kicked by a security guard in Mandaluyong City will be summoned to provide her account of the viral incident. The Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), under the CSG, aims to conduct a fair investigation into the matter.
Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano, CSG spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that the vendor would be invited to appear before SOSIA evaluators to shed light on the altercation. The incident, which occurred last December outside a mall, sparked public outrage after a netizen shared a video online.
In the footage, the security guard is seen instructing the young vendor to leave the premises. When she resisted and attempted to retrieve her jasmine garlands, commonly known as Sampaguita, the guard forcibly took them. The situation escalated when the guard kicked the vendor after she retaliated.
Despite the viral backlash against the security guard, the vendor expressed regret over the situation during an interview with ABS-CBN News. She apologized to the guard, emphasizing that she did not intend for him to lose his job. “I only wanted to sell flowers to support my family,” she said.
Lt. Col. Gultiano clarified that the SOSIA’s preliminary investigation would proceed even if the vendor declined the summons. Meanwhile, the security guard has been given until tomorrow to submit his counter-affidavit. Failure to comply could result in penalties, including fines or the suspension of his license.
Gultiano underscored that the SOSIA aims to determine whether the guard violated standard operating procedures. “We are committed to upholding justice and ensuring accountability,” she stated.
The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of street vendors and the conduct of security personnel in public spaces. Advocacy groups have called for better training for guards and greater protection for informal workers like street vendors.
As the investigation unfolds, the SOSIA urges the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions and to await the findings of the inquiry. The case highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism in security services and fostering compassion toward vulnerable sectors of society.