A composite photo of the incident outside SM Megamall purposes only. ARCHIVE

SM Megamall has fired the security guard involved in a widely circulated video showing him assaulting a young girl selling sampaguita flower garlands outside the mall. The dismissal comes amid mounting public outrage over the incident, which sparked discussions on social media about the treatment of street vendors. The viral video shows the security guard aggressively arguing with the young girl, who was dressed in a school uniform and selling sampaguita garlands near the mall's entrance in Manila. As the situation escalated, the guard was seen snatching and destroying the girl’s garlands. In response, the girl hit the guard with the broken garlands, prompting him to retaliate physically. In a statement released Thursday, SM Megamall expressed regret over the incident. "We regret and sympathize with the young girl who experienced an unfortunate incident outside our mall," the statement read. The mall management confirmed that the security guard was dismissed and barred from working in any of their establishments. "We strongly condemn his act committed against her. SM Supermalls always promotes inclusivity for all," the statement added. The Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group has also launched an administrative investigation into the guard’s conduct and the possible liabilities of his security agency. "The Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies is already conducting an administrative investigation," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Eudisan Gultiano, chief of the CSG Public Information Office. The SOSIA is examining whether the security agency failed to properly train and supervise its personnel. “The investigation will be swift and fair,” Gultiano assured. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from netizens, with many calling for greater accountability among private security agencies. Others have raised concerns about the exploitation and vulnerability of street vendors, particularly minors. Child rights advocates have also chimed in, urging authorities to prioritize the welfare of children like the young vendor involved in the incident. As the investigation progresses, SM Megamall reiterated its commitment to working with authorities to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. ICA/Expat Media
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