Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go commended the recent enactment of the Private Security Services Industry Act of 2022, which will significantly strengthen the regulation of the private security services industry in the country.
Go is co-sponsor of said measure, which became Republic Act 11917 last 30 July and repealed RA 5487.
Under the Act, the private security services industry shall be enhanced to ensure more competent private security personnel and professionals who shall complement the country’s law enforcement authorities in the preservation of public order.
To ensure high quality standards of Filipino security guards, the law mandates all private security agencies (PSA) to be 100 percent-owned and controlled by a Filipino citizen. PSAs shall also have a maximum of 2,000 security personnel.
It also streamlines the process for those who wish to apply for a security personnel job. Applicants must be of legal age, physically and mentally fit, of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime.
The Act also aims to improve the capabilities of Filipino security guards by providing necessary training and education programs, including basic security guard courses, specialized security guard courses, security officers training, detective training and candidate protection agent courses.
In line with his commitment to protect the welfare and interests of the country’s uniformed personnel, Go filed Senate Bill 422 which shall provide free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or Philippine National Police, who is facing before the prosecutor’s office, court or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty.