Security guards man Camp Crame gates

MANILA, Philippines -  Don’t be surprised to see security guards at the gates of Camp Crame, the national headquarters (NHQ) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in Quezon City.

A total of 73 guards of Right Eight Security Agency or Right8 have been manning the camp’s four gates since Saturday, an official said yesterday.

The shift to security guards is part of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima’s program to “download policemen from the police headquarters to the units in the field” and increase police presence on the streets, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said.

He said the guards were assigned to non-sensitive areas on three eight-hour shifts – 27 guards for the first and second shifts and 19 for the third shift.

Chief Superintendent Albert Supapo, acting director of the PNP Headquarters Support Service, said that aside from the camp gates, the guards are manning the Officer’s Row gate; the Transformation oval parking; and the NHQ lobby, back parking, and north and south wings.

Only one bidder

Mayor said only Right8, owned by Ma. Roxanne Antonio Singson, participated in the bidding for the P21-million contract, which he said is open for scrutiny.

He said the guards are still under the supervision of police officers and will not handle protests and other higher-level security issues.

Someone with the rank of Police Officer 1, the lowest rank in the PNP, receives P18,000 as basic monthly salary, excluding bonuses, while security guards are paid minimum wage rates.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the government will be able to save money on the scheme since the PNP will not have to give security guards firearms and benefits due to a police officer.

There is also a plan for the PNP to hire civilian employees to replace police officers who function as band members, drivers of trucks and buses, mechanics and technical personnel.