Blue guard shoots food delivery rider

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A security guard gunned down a food delivery service rider over a petty argument late morning of March 31, 2021 in City Proper district, Iloilo City.

The suspect, Argie Solis, who works for Grabato Investigation and Security Agency and detailed to Malayan Bank, repeatedly shot Food Panda rider Joemar Sanchez around 11:00 a.m. while outside the bank located at Robinsons Place Iloilo at de Leon St., Barangay Osmeña.

According to witnesses, Sanchez was dripping wet due to the rain when he arrived outside the bank. He allegedly asked about information on a customer while placing a drenched plastic bag containing food on the security guard’s lectern.

This allegedly irked Solis who confronted Sanchez claiming that the wet bag soaked some papers on the podium.

Sanchez, a resident of Barangay Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City, even apologized for what he did, but this did not appease Solis who still gave him a mouthful.

A heated argument between the two erupted.

Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, said that Solis’ fellow guard told Sanchez to leave the premises.

The victim did but he apparently heard something from the suspect which compelled him to turn his head and answer back.

Sanchez’s action further angered Solis.

The suspect immediately pulled his gun and shot Sanchez who already turned his back to the security guard.

At the initial shot, the victim tried to flee but Solis again shot him.

Witnesses heard at least four gunfire volleys and saw Sanchez with blood oozing from his poncho raincoat.

After the incident, videos taken by witnesses and CCTV footages showed that Solis walked past the victim’s body while putting on his backpack.

The suspect did not even bother to run while fleeing the crime scene.

Sangrines has called on Solis to voluntarily turn himself in.

The suspect was able to text his wife that he shot dead someone.

Solis hails from Laua-an, Antique and stays at a boarding house in Iloilo City with his wife.

Meanwhile, the Security Agency and Guards Section (SAGS) of the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU)-6 said Solis could lose his license because of the incident.

SAGS chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Neil E. Gumana said that if a case is filed against Solis, they could file a request with the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) under the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) seeking to revoke Solis’ license.

Gumana said they could request for revocation of security guard’s license if they have committed a criminal offense; if they committed violations while rendering duty; and if after investigation of complaints emanating from their clienteles, customers, or their agency, they were found to have committed grave offenses.

The RCSU6 will also conduct an administrative investigation on the agency of Solis which will include the verification of the agency’s License to Operate and verify their firearm registration and judicial license to own and possess firearms.

RCSU6 chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Rogelio Abran said that they are enhancing their proactive measures to ensure that security guards are fit to work such as continuous inspection and refresher trainings conducted by their office.

“Ginagawa na ito ng ating office,” Abran said.

Abran said that they also coordinated with the different security agencies and reminded them to check the morale of their guards, especially in this time of pandemic, as it may affect their behavior while they render their respective duties which may lead to commission of crimes or other violations.