Guards all over the places and the redundant inspections
By nytrisco
@nytrisco (567)
Philippines
July 23, 2011 6:45am CST
A friend of mine told me about her Singaporean supervisor, the first thing that caught her attention here in our country is the Security Guards all over Makati. You can see them in underpass, fastfoods, restaurants, buildings, and even in the mall. And her supervisor asked her why do they need to open the bags and check with their stick, if they could buy a metal sensor/detector so it won't be a hassle to the customers. And everytime she hears a whistle blowing, she gets scared. Since in Singapore they don't that way too many guards and whistles.
And I also observe this one, especially on Ayala malls. They already have a metal sensor/detector that you will have to walk on after the mall door, plus the guards also has a metal detector on their hands as well, and we still need to open our bags, which is I think very redundant and very inconvenient for the shoppers. I know it is their protocol inspection just for the safety of the mall and for the shoppers but it is way too annoying.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
The xray machines, the metal detectors, the drum sticks and the guards are there for a reason and that is as a deterrent against the bad elements. I would rather be annoyed by those poking sticks and sometimes rude security guards rather than have my way and get in without inspection than being blown to pieces and if lucky enough feel sorry a bit too late. We can't blame Ayala malls for being a little paranoid for they already have learn their lessons the hard way. Terrorists are in our midst and won't think twice to hurt the innocent if given the chance, let's not give them that. And as far as your friend's supervisor is concerned, she may wish remind her supervisor about and old saying that goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
Well, security protocols. The environment and situation in Singapore is very different with the Philippines. It can be redundant at times but there is nothing wrong with it. I think the security department of such mall operators took into consideration on why they do such protocols. I know that there are a lot of guards here in the Philippines which goes to show that there really is a big deal need for such security measures compared to Simgapore. Anyway, we just have to follow such security measures. I am not against it but it sure annoys me when I try to submit my self to such inspection but the guards inspecting seems not to care at all with what they are doing.
@strawberrychocodahi (4818)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
Well you are right about that stick, as if it was a "Magic Stick" that can detect anything suspicious and dangerous once it scanned an open bag or personal belonging. They (mall owners) should have invested more on the scanners and detectors so that their security officers would not look stupid, sorry for the term for inspecting bags using mere sticks.
It was indeed annoying and foreigners would also be thinking why there are redundant check (including the stick check). It is a protocol to check and I don't have problems being inspected although if they really wanted to be fully secured and look professional in scanning and inspecting, then they should have used the right tools. How many years have they done this type of check up, can't they just invest a detector instead? 
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
Who benefits with tight security then?..
Isn't us?, the shoppers the countrymen,the citizen right?
So,there is nothing wrong with it.
We cannot blame AYALA and MAKATI for having this kind of super tight inspection and super duper guards everywhere.
Remember the bomb blasts in Glorietta,and the other crimes/incidents that happens (hostages etc.)
With that Singaporean nationality,s/he should be thankful,because Philippines is not like their country that people are well-disciplined and their country is only a part of MAKATI -too small for a criminal to hide.
So,there is really need of more security measured to be done here in our country compared to their country.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
There is really nothing wrong with that, all I am saying is having that kind of safety precaution is just redundant to me. I mean, you have to pass thru the door frame-like metal detector, after that guards will inspect your bags with their drum sticks and then they will search your body that I think they don't really search on it, why don't they invest and buy a high-tech device for screening people and luggage just like in airports? And also, if you are working at Makati and using MRT to go home just try to walk at Greenbelt and cross the bridge that connects to Landmark and to Glorietta and then to SM Makati, just try to observe those guards infront of the Landmark entrance on the bridge during rush hours, are they really inspecting peoples bag? they just dip their drum stick inside the bag and it is okay. If they will just put a metal detector or xray machine in front, then they can really see whats inside the bags of the shopper plus they can also trace with a person do have an explosive device inside his/her clothing. If I am a terrorist, I could just suit myself an office attire, put explosives inside my backpack covered with papers or books then go inside. BUT I AM NOT. I think we really need to upgrade our facilities since terrorist do invent new ways. =)
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
From time to time I would get annoyed too, I think that's a natural reaction, but when I think that these people are just there to do there jobs and keep all of us safe, then it becomes just fine with me. "I'd rather be annoyed and bothered than become a potential victim", whistles scare or annoy us a bit but it also make potential criminals think twice, plus presence of guards gives an impression that there is visibility with regards to security, not to mention that these people have work, jobs for our countryman
. Just let the supervisor think as she wishes and accept things as they are here, the same way we will behave when we are in their country.
. Just let the supervisor think as she wishes and accept things as they are here, the same way we will behave when we are in their country.@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
Very well said louievill, for me having an environment with security personnel roving around and doing their duty is very nice and I think of it as safe from any criminal doing. I also ask myself, what will happen to the security personnel who is currently on duty and something happened inside the mall? They are the ones who will be blame if something wrong happens and sometimes they will be fired due to negligence or something. So I think it would be great if the management would upgrade their security devices too. Yeah, and I think the supervisor was on a "culture shock" state, since her country is I think peaceful. =)
@meriel (101)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
if we are in hurry this is annoying..but for some who have wide understanding for this won't mind anymore. But the question is that does this security guards knows what they are looking for? they will let the customer open their bag and less than a second check the bag using theirs sticks. how could they find something hazardous in a small bag if they will just check it so quickly.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
You see, some people also realize this thing [including us]. lolz. how could they scan every single thing inside the bag for just a single glance? What if a terrorist put a bomb inside a book? or a laptop? That's what I'm talking about, they really need to upgrade their security forces.
