‘BEAT BAR BRAWLS’: ICPO holds talk with resto bar managers, security officers to avert fracas, crimes

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) again conducted another round of consultative meeting with security officers, bouncers, and managers of restaurants and bars in Iloilo City.

Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, and Nestor Canong, the head of the Iloilo City Compliance Monitoring Team, met with members of the Iloilo  Bars Operators Asso (IBOA) led by its interim president, Sophie Garrucho, at the Amnesia Restobar on Feb 16, 2023 to discuss collaborations to avert crimes against persons.

Coronica noted that 30 incidents of crimes against persons happened in resto-bars in 2022.

The last incident happened on December 31, 2022 outside the Amnesia Bar. The 26-year-old victim died six days later while undergoing treatment.

The surge in incidents happened just as the city loosened restrictions on mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronica said statistics on the frequency of bar fracas were also shown to the management and their security officers.

“Our focus here is on the prevention side. Before if would reach a point where their patrons would go unruly, they should call the police to help them in the prevention,” he said.

Coronica said he also raised with IBOA members the affidavit of undertaking they have entered with the Iloilo City government. The affidavit was a commitment from resto-bar owners that they will maintain peace and order in their premises lest they will be fined or shuttered by City Hall.

“We reminded them to religiously frisk all their patrons. There should be no exception,” he said.

Police officers and other law enforcers will only be allowed to bring firearms if they are on official business and with prior coordination with the management.

In August 2022, the ICPO also called for a meeting with security officers and bouncers in Mandurriao district, now referred to as the center of the city’s nightlife.

Major Rey Sumagaysay, former Iloilo City Police Station 3 (ICPS3) acting chief, conceptualized the meeting to get the support and cooperation of business establishments in the district.

A lecture was also conducted to stress the importance and scope of work of guards and bouncers.

Prior to that, the role of bouncers and security guards has been put in the spotlight following reported complaints against the bouncers of a club after its bouncer allegedly manhandled drunk and rowdy customers.