Res Gestae
WVMC security guards, "may your tribe increase…"
This was my comment, nay prayer, when I witnessed the awarding of Security Guards of West Visayas State University Medical Center at the Police Regional Office 6, Camp Martin Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City yesterday, Monday.
PRO 6 Director, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani R. Cuevas, awarded a Certificate of Commendation to five WVSUMC guards, including retired police officer, Police Senior Superintendent Vicente R. Neptuno, who is currently the security consultant of the said hospital.
The awarding was relative to the accomplishments of the said security guards in April 22 and May 19 incidents inside the hospital premises. In April 22, security guards Alfredo Anacan, Jose Buncalan, Jerson Quezon, and Rexel Hinalongan caused the arrest of Randy V Choi, a wanted person for Theft. Choi was the subject in the Warrant of Arrest issued by Judge Guillue Delfin on February 19, 2008. While in May 19, security guards Anacan and Buncalan effected the arrest of Cesar Parreño, Renato Aposaga and Rustico Tupas, for having in their possession and control a caliber .45, ammunition, and a bladed weapon.
At the onset, I found nothing unusual with these accomplishments. Those were but in line with mandate as security guards and force multipliers of the PNP. It is their mandate to maintain peace, order and safety in the establishment or institution where they are assigned with, as in this case, the WVSUMC.
But, my interview with officer Neptuno revealed a very interesting and, indeed, commendable practice, behind the said accomplishments. With the arrest of Choi, for example, Neptuno said it was made possible after security guard Quezon identified the subject who was then admitted at WVSUMC. Quezon did so because it has been his practice, as well as of other hospital guards, to glance at the Rogues' Gallery before he assumes his post. The habit made the security guards familiar of the wanted persons listed by the Iloilo City Police Office.
Though it is the first time that the PRO 6 conferred award to security guards, I don't want to presume that this fact indicates non-performance, ineffectiveness or inefficiency of the security guards. However, I have the feeling that only few security guards, or security agencies, are making innovations to improve their services to their clients.
And, it takes one, like Neptuno, to prove that service innovation really pays.
It is then my wish that security agencies, or security guards, will go out of their bounds by instituting innovative practices to upgrade their services. They must be proactive by going extra mile of their regular functions for the benefit not only of their clients but also of the public.
Hence, my prayer goes, "may the tribe of well-performing guards increase!"
(For comments and suggestions, text SMS to 09193161190 or email at rogatepnp@yahoo.com.)