POE CALLS FOR REVIEW OF SECURITY PROTOCOL IN CASINO ATTACK

Sen. Grace Poe today called on authorities to push for a review of security procedures in the light of a recent attack in Resorts World Manila that killed 37 staff and patrons, including the gunman.

During the regular Kapihan sa Manila Bay breakfast forum on Wednesday, Poe, vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said there should be clear-cut guidelines in both private and government establishments to address similar incidents.

"I think what we need to pick up from this is how our security protocols are, both in private establishments as well as public spaces. One of the things that was discussed was that the local government and then the mayor of the city should be the one giving the updates. Now the PNP, of course, have to be there, but I think, in light of terrorist threats worldwide as well as common crimes, the community has to be able to respond immediately," said Poe.

The gunman, Jessie Javier Carlos, who was a former tax specialist at the Department of Finance and had a forfeiture case for alleged ill-gotten wealth, went on a rampage and set the casino on fire on June 2. Probers said he was deep in debt and was addicted to gambling.

"Habang wala pa yung police, ano ang protocols sa committee, barangay ba? Local police doon, ano ang dapat gawin? At dapat alam din ng mga tao kasi kung wala tayo ng ganung measures eh nagkakaroon ng gulo, sino ba ang nagbibigay ng briefing? Sino ba ang in charge dito?" she said.

Poe said mall security should also be oriented on how to properly respond to emergency situations.

"Pati na rin ang mga security sa mga malls. Kasi siyempre tao din naman yan, pag may nakita kang mukhang nakakatakot na ganun, marami sa kanila matatakot, baka matakot din tayo pero dapat siguro meron silang button doon na kapag pinindot nila, may alarm na," she added.