Five alleged “security escorts” of 21-year-old hit-and-run suspect Sean Andrew Pajarillo were brought to the Mandaue City Hall of Justice on February 13 for inquest proceedings.
The men, accompanied by their legal counsel, underwent inquest on Friday. However, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) spokesperson Mercy Villaro-Kantunab later told reporters that the case against them was dismissed.
A copy of the resolution had yet to be released as of press time.
The arrested individuals were identified only by their aliases.
Alyas “Mar,” a married resident of Mandaue City, works as a bouncer at Barrio Disco Bar.
Alyas “Arko,” a bouncer at Icon Disco Bar, is of legal age and resides in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.
Alyas “Zar,” also a bouncer at Barrio Disco Bar, is married and a resident of Cebu City.
Alyas “Choy,” a single bouncer at Barrio Disco Bar, resides in Lapu-Lapu City.
The fifth man, alyas “Yayan,” is single and a resident of Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.
Authorities arrested the five men on Thursday afternoon at a private hospital in Mandaue City.
They were later brought to the custodial facility of the MCPO Subangdaku Police Station 2 while awaiting the filing of charges for allegedly violating Republic Act 11917, or the Private Security Services Industry Act, for engaging in the security profession without authority.
In an interview, Villaro-Kantunab said the five men went to the hospital where Pajarillo was confined.
According to her, hospital security personnel asked about their purpose, and the group introduced themselves as Pajarillo’s “private security.”
The men reportedly attempted to enter the private room where Pajarillo was confined but were denied entry by the custodial officer from the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).
Because the original incident occurred in Cebu City, the Cebu City Police Office coordinated with the MCPO and Task Force HUSAY — composed of the Regional Civil Security Unit 7, Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group 7, and the Regional Police Security and Protection Unit 7 — for joint validation and further investigation.
When asked to present their License to Exercise Security Profession (LESP) or proof of registration under a legitimate private security agency, the five men allegedly failed to produce any documents, prompting their arrest.
“Wala man silay maipakita kaning lima maong gi-arrest sila,” Villaro-Kantunab said, adding that no firearms were confiscated from them.
In a separate interview, one of Pajarillo’s legal counsels, Atty. Nodger Jude Dalman, denied claims that the family hired the men as security escorts. He said they were merely acquaintances of the family who visited out of concern.
“Acquainted sila sa family ni Sean. It’s their discretion naman. Dili na ta ka-question unsay ilang intention ana basta family acquaintance sila. They are not hired as security escorts,” Dalman said.
He explained that the men were not sent by the family but went to the hospital on their own initiative.
Dalman also addressed claims that they were initially identified as “bouncers” because of their build, saying physical appearance does not automatically make someone a security escort.
“Di man kaingon nga kung dako kag lawas automatic ka nga security escort. Dili, family acquaintances ra ni sila,” he said.
Dalman added that the five men were arrested at the hospital cafeteria while eating, not inside Pajarillo’s hospital room.
“Mao nay dakong pangutana, nganong ingon ana ang pagkahitabo,” Dalman said, referring to the circumstances of the arrest.
He maintained that their visit was a normal act of concern for a friend and declined to comment on whether the men were employed at the bar where Pajarillo was earlier seen partying.
Dalman said the Pajarillo family is prepared to face any case that may be filed against their son and will respond through the proper legal channels. (VCL)
