Security guard shooting sparks PRO-6 probe

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office 6 has ordered the Iloilo City Police Office to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident at a mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, that wounded a grocery store employee.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, said that while the incident is not considered alarming, the ICPO should exhaust all possible measures to ensure it does not happen again.

The ICPO, led by Col. Wilbert Parilla, was also instructed to coordinate with mall management and other establishments to ensure the integrity of the security agencies they hire.

Ligan also asked the Regional Civil Security Unit 6 to exhaustively check individuals applying for a security guard license.

He said applicants should undergo proper neuropsychiatric evaluation.

Ligan said proper background investigation is also necessary to ensure an applicant’s integrity.

The incident happened at 4:37 p.m. on May 10 at the fish-selling area inside Savemore at Festive Mall in Iloilo Business Park.

The shooting injured alias Jho, 30, of Dumangas, Iloilo.

The victim, who was assigned to the grocery’s seafood section, sustained a gunshot wound to the chest after he was allegedly shot by alias Joseph, 37.

Police said Joseph is a security guard employed by New Mabuhay International Security Agency and assigned as a roving guard at Savemore.

Before Ligan’s order, Parilla had instructed the Iloilo City Police Station 5, led by Capt. Joebert Amado, to dig deeper into the incident.

Parilla emphasized that the ICPO remains committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring transparency in the investigation.

“The ICPO assures the public that we are conducting a fair, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into this incident. We appreciate the concern and support of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas and assure everyone that updates will be provided accordingly as the investigation progresses,” he said.

Parilla also urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while authorities establish the facts surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, Amado said the suspect owned up to the incident.

After the shooting, Joseph allegedly went to their office and told a fellow security guard that he got upset.

Joseph was allegedly irked when he noticed that grocery store employees were laughing at him.

“He might have misinterpreted things,” Amado said.

Jho remains confined at the Western Visayas Medical Center, while the suspect is detained pending the filing of charges against him.