Davide terminates Blackpearl security

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has terminated the Capitol's temporary engagement of the Blackpearl Security Agency to guard its facilities since last week.

Davide decided to terminate the agency's services after one of its guards 'accidentally' fired his shotgun and hit a driver of a motorcycle-for-hire in Barangay Apas Wednesday morning. The driver, however, is now in stable condition at a private hospital.

Davide directed Jone Siegfred Sepe, officer-in-charge of the Provincial General Services Office, to notify Blackpearl on the disengagement effective on January 14.

"In light with the recent incidents involving a security guard from Balckpearl Security Agency… I decided to terminate the temporary engagement sa Blackpearl dinhi sa Capitol and other facilities in the provincial government," Davide told reporters.

The post-qualification process, however, will push through. Blackpearl is vying to get the contract for security services at the Capitol. It was declared the lowest bidder but is yet to be officially declared winner because of the required post-qualification process.

Post-qualification process includes verification of the company's documents after it emerged as the lowest bidder among GDS Security and Detective Agency and Tactical Security Agency.

 The three bidders reportedly offered identical financial proposals but Blackpearl broke the deadlock.

 Despite the pending Notice of Awards, personnel from Blackpearl already took over at the Capitol since last week. Davide said the incident would now be the basis for the review of the post-qualification of Blackpearl.

"Kining panghitabo goes into the capacity of Blackpearl's performance… Blessing in disguise ni nga nakakita ta sa performance sa Blackpearl. That would create doubts sa Capitol unsa gyod ilang performance," he added.

Davide said that he would ask personnel from the Cebu Provincial Police Office to temporarily guard the Capitol while the post-qualification process is ongoing and until the contract with the winning agency is entered into.

 As to the government-run hospitals in the province, he would ask the local government units concerned to detail police personnel in the respective areas.

BAC chairman Orvi Ortega said that if Blackpearl could not make it to the post-qualification, the two other agencies will be considered.

Davide said the Capitol may not also pay for the services rendered by Blackpearl.

"We don't want to sound unfair kay they volunteered but sa after what happened, sa akong hunahuna dili tingale angay nga bayran," he added.  (FREEMAN)