Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1919)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1919 is to further amend Republic Act No. 5487, also known as "The Private Security Agency Law," to introduce administrative fines for violations, clarify the categories of security guards, and adjust licensing requirements to better regulate the private security industry.
PD No. 1919 redefines 'watchman or security guard' to include three specific categories: private security guards employed by private security agencies, company guards employed by private firms, and government guards employed by government entities.
The PD allows the Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative to impose administrative fines or cancel the license of private security agencies or company guard forces for violations, instead of resorting immediately to suspension or cancellation of licenses, while also allowing for possible criminal action.
The Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative is authorized to impose penalties such as suspension, cancellation of licenses, or administrative fines for violations of the law and its implementing rules.
No, employees of national government agencies, instrumentalities, government-owned or controlled corporations who are utilized as watchmen or security guards are exempted from securing licenses and required fees or bonds under this law.
No private security agency shall be granted a license unless it employs at least 200 licensed private security guards, and no company guard force shall be licensed unless it employs at least 30 company guards. The maximum number for both is set at 1,000 guards.
The amendments regarding the minimum and maximum number of security guards employed by agencies and company guard forces took effect no later than March 31, 1985.
The concept of administrative fines was introduced to prevent excessive penalties such as the outright suspension or cancellation of licenses, which could cause loss of capital investment and dislocation of security guards, allowing continued business operations while enforcing compliance.
By 1984, the private security industry employed approximately 145,000 security guards, compared to 36,000 in 1970, with an annual earning power of about P1.75 billion, supporting around 1 million individuals including their families.
Yes, the amended law specifically distinguishes among private security guards, company guards, and government guards to clarify their status and regulate them accordingly.