By Jennifer P. Rendon
In the maintenance of peace and order in night spots, security officers and bouncers hold a sensitive job akin to police officers but on a limited capacity.
This was stressed by Colonel Leo Batiles, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, as they gathered bouncers and security officers of several restaurants and bars in Mandurriao district, now referred to as the center of the city’s nightlife.
Dubbed as “Diyalogo,” the dialogue invited managers, security guards and bouncers of fifteen establishments in the district.
Major Rey Sumagaysay, Iloilo City Police Station 3 (ICPS3) acting chief, conceptualized the event to seek the support and cooperation of business establishments in the district.
Also in attendance was Nestor Canong, head of the Iloilo City Compliance Monitoring Team.
Sumagaysay said it might be a challenge to lead a police station with a lot of business establishments operating at nighttime.
But Sumagaysay said that it’s a challenge he intends to overcome.
Meanwhile, Batiles, who gave a lecture during the dialogue, stressed the need for enhanced coordination and linkages between security officers and the police.
“While limited in jurisdiction, they have the role almost equal to the police. They should maintain peace and order and effect arrest if necessary,” he said.
That’s why, the lecture was necessary to serve as a refresher for guards and bouncers on their job description and their scope of works.
Recently, the role of bouncers and security guards has been put on spotlight following reported complaints against bouncers of The Cave Superclub and Music Hall, which prided itself as a lavish entertainment place located at City Times Square in Mandurriao.
The club’s bouncer allegedly manhandled drunk and rowdy customers.
But Batiles said that the dialogue was not all together driven by The Cave incident although it was a turning point for the ICPO and the security officers to meet and talk things over.
