‘Review law on security agency’

IBP Cebu chapters to issue statement following the killing of two lawyers by a security guard

LAWYERS in Cebu want the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) national chapter to help them craft policies that will enable government agencies to review the policies on the issuance of licenses to security agencies.

Lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, IBP Eastern Visayas governor, said the IBP Cebu City and Cebu chapters will convene and issue a statement to the national chapter to review some policies.

“What are the measures that are being taken to monitor (their security guards)? These security agencies should be keeping security guards really mentally competent and make sure they’ve passed the rigid examination in obtaining firearms,” Bathan told reporters.

Lawyer Gerik Paderanga, 37, passed away before midnight of Dec. 25, barely three days after security guard Jonathan Sanchez shot him and his father lawyer Goering Paderanga, 62, outside their law firm on F. Ramos St. in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City last Dec. 22.

Goering, whom Sanchez shot three times, died on the spot. Goering was the husband of Judge Sylva Paderanga of Regional Trial Court Branch 16.

Arrest

Police yesterday filed the double murder case against Sanchez before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor.

The IBP Cebu City and Province chapters had condemned the “dastardly act” of Sanchez.

Police arrested Sanchez in his parents’ house in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City last Dec. 23.

Sanchez, who did not resist when police arrived, admitted shooting the Paderangas because he was angry at them for blocking a cement mixer from entering the construction site where he was assigned.

Several lawyers in Cebu yesterday attended a solidarity mass at the IBP Social Hall inside the Capitol compound for the slain lawyers.

Bathan, also a former IBP Cebu City chapter president, called on the police for a speedy resolution of the cases.

She said security agencies should conduct random tests on their guards and should always update their employment records.

“Right after they (security agencies) obtained their license, how often do they update the records of their security guards?” said Bathan.

Likewise, Bathan believes that Sanchez’s employer may be held liable for the two lawyers’ deaths since the guard committed the crime in the performance of his duty.

Sanchez’s employer, the Invincible Armada Security Agency, vowed to conduct seminars as part of their Security Guard Information and Continuing Education to keep track of its personnel.

Condemn

Fr. Dan Domingo delos Angeles, who officiated the mass, said there are about 11 unresolved killings involving law- yers in Cebu. Delos Angeles joined his colleagues in condemning the Dec. 22 shooting.

“Life is sacred. We condemn in strongest possible term those who do not respect it,” said delos Angeles, who is also a lawyer.

Retired judge Meinrado Paredes wondered why the security agency allowed Sanchez to carry firearms despite reportedly mental issues.

Citing the New Firearms Law, Paredes said guards should undergo the rigid processes before they may be issued firearms.

For his part, lawyer Hidelito Pascual, the IBP Cebu City chapter president, said among the agenda that they will discuss during the meeting would be the processing of licenses for the security agencies.