Guards charged for illegally detaining mall worker

CEBU, Philippines - Three security guards are facing criminal charges before a court for allegedly detaining a mall worker who was accused of stealing things from the establishment.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office found sufficient ground to hold Erwin Cabasag, Dante Banez and Jiovannie Gutib for trial for slight illegal detention. Gutib was also indicted for grave threat.

“The undersigned finds it sufficient for purposes of establishing probable cause that respondents shall be charged for slight illegal detention considering that complainant has unlawfully detained and deprived of his liberty for two hours,” said Prosecutor Tranne Lee Ferrer in her resolution.

The prosecution recommended P15, 000 bail for the guards’ temporary liberty.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the mall employee, Mario Castro, who alleged that he was passing through the exit door of the mall when security guard Gian Carlo Daquinotas grabbed his backpack supposedly for inspection last January 25.

When he found nothing inside the bag, Daquinotas returned it to Castro. The following day, Castro approached Cabasag, who was the mall's head guard, to verify the identification of Daquinotas.

Instead of helping Castro, Cabasag even got irked and suddenly handcuffed him with the help of Banez.

Gutib then pulled out his service firearm and pointed it at Castro, telling him to run so he would have reason to shoot the complainant.

The accused guards allegedly illegally detained Castro for two hours until his aunt fetched him.

In their counter-affidavit, the security guards contended that they only inspected Castro to prevent pilferage and theft.

Gutib denied pointing his service firearm at Castro, saying he had no firearm being the guard supervisor.

But the prosecution gave weight to the evidence and claims of the complainant, saying the guards may be held liable for slight illegal detention. (FREEMAN)