Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 18) – The Philippine National Police directed all security guards in private subdivisions and homeowners groups to refrain from confiscating driver’s licenses duly issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
In a memorandum released last Monday, the Philippine National Police Civil Security Group-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA) mentioned there are incidents involving security guards in private subdivisions or villages and drivers who are required to surrender their driver’s licenses before entering their areas.
Some homeowners groups also ordered their security personnel to get the driver’s licenses, the PNP-SOSIA added.
The police stressed in its memo that only LTO officers can seize licenses from drivers, in adherence to Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Security guards and homeowners groups are not allowed to confiscate licenses, even on a temporary basis.
The PNP-SOSIA reminded visiting or traveling drivers who wish to enter a private village or gated subdivisions can present any valid IDs to security guards, except their driver’s license.
In turn, the guards must always be courteous and uphold professional conduct and ethics when dealing with visiting drivers in the villages.
The PNP memo also applies to all private security agencies, private detective agencies, private security training institutions, government guard units, company guard forces, and others in the private security industry.
