QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11917)
RA 11917 is titled the “Private Security Services Industry Act.” Its policy is to recognize and strengthen the private sector’s role in protecting people, safeguarding property, and maintaining peace and order, by regulating the industry and setting quality standards for competent private security personnel.
LTO certifies and authorizes a person or juridical entity to employ and deploy security guards, K9 teams, protection agents, private detectives, and other licensed specialized security personnel; and authorizes a juridical person to establish and operate a private detective agency or private security agency/guard force. For PSTA, LTO is for training schools/institutes that offer PNP-prescribed courses or TESDA-accredited training programs.
A PSA is any person or juridical entity that contracts, recruits, furnishes, or posts security guards for functions or solicitation of clients to engage their services, including security and specialized services (e.g., escort, detective, investigation, gangway security, passenger profiling) and other security needs approved by the PNP.
It includes providing security services for compensation under agreed terms and contract; guarding establishments/property, access control/denial (physically, manually, or via electronic monitoring), private security training, investigation, and also contracting/recruiting/training/furnishing/posting guards to solicit clients to engage such services.
Only Filipino citizens or juridical entities wholly owned and controlled by Filipino citizens may organize a PSA. They shall not employ more than 2,000 private security professionals.
Must be at least 25 years old; hold a bachelor’s degree; be a part owner (for juridical entities, at least one share of stock with voting rights); be of good moral character; not have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude; and be physically and mentally fit including passing required neuro-psychiatric and drug tests. For juridical entities, the named operator/licensee (President/director) must comply and be authorized by the board.
An LTO for PSA and PSTA is valid for a maximum of five (5) years, subject to renewal. The Chief PNP may set a shorter validity period with adjusted fair and reasonable fees.
Each LTO application must be accompanied by a bond issued by a competent or reputable surety/fidelity/insurance company accredited by the Insurance Commission. The bond answers for any valid and legal claim by clients or employees; the Chief PNP sets an amount depending on number of PSPs.
Yes. The minimum administrative fee shall not be less than 20% of the total contract cost, subject to adjustment by the Department of Labor and Employment, with additional fees allowed for extraneous tools/equipment and for continuous deployment of PSPs in hazardous conditions.
A PSA may possess firearms only after meeting Chief PNP requirements under RA 10591. It may possess small arms not exceeding one (1) firearm per PSP. PSPs may carry firearms only during tour of duty, in proper uniform, within the establishment compound (except when escorting and securing large cash/valuables as determined by PNP). Firearm inventory is subject to periodic PNP inspection.
Must be of legal age; Filipino citizen; physically and mentally fit; of good moral character; and not convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
Yes. No LESP is granted without undergoing the Pre-Licensing Training Program as defined in the Act. The law includes training such as Basic Security Guard Course and Security Officers Training Course, plus pre-licensing requirements and other specialized/group skill development. It also contemplates ladderized training and education for advancement.
The LESP is valid for five (5) years from its date of issuance.
Examples include: taking part in armed conflict against the government; using force/threat of force in elections; involvement in human rights violations; operating outside the regulatory framework as a para-military organization; intentional misuse of electronic security devices/remote video surveillance violating privacy; gross negligence or incompetency; operator/licensee conviction; violation of the Labor Code; or conduct that renders PSA a detriment to peace and order.
Without a valid LTO: fine of not less than PHP 1,000,000 and not more than PHP 5,000,000 at the discretion of the Chief PNP. With an expired LTO: fine of not less than PHP 50,000 and not more than PHP 100,000.
Imprisonment of not less than 12 years and 1 day to 20 years, and a fine of PHP 1,000,000, without prejudice to prosecution under other laws.
PNP, in consultation with stakeholders and other private security associations, must promulgate the IRR within 90 days from effectivity, and consult stakeholders prior to issuing regulations affecting the industry. The PNP is mandated to review the IRR every three (3) years.