THE CONCEPT OF SECURITY

Understanding the concept of security requires further definition of other related

concepts such as asset, risk, threat and vulnerability.

Asset is anything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or

controlled to produced value. If it has positive economic value, it is considered an asset.
Or more simply, if its value can be converted into cash.

Risk is the uncertainty of financial loss, the probability that a loss has occurred or
will occur, or the possible occurrence of an undesirable event. The end results of risk is
loss or a decrease in value. e.g. lost of life of your love once.

Threat is anything that could adversely affect assets; it can be classified into
natural hazards (such as floods), accidents (chemical spills), or intentional acts
(domestic or international terrorism).

Vulnerability means weakness, flaw, or virtually anything that may conceivably be

exploited by a threat; examples are holes in a fence, an out –of-date key system or the
introduction of a computer virus.

CATEGORIES OF SECURITY

1. Physical security - pertains to al physical barriers employed or installed to secure

assets.
2. Personnel Security - refers to the procedure followed, or inquiries conducted, and
criteria applied to determine the work suitability of a particular applicant or the
retention of a particular employee.
3. Document and Information Security -refers to policies regulations, doctrines, and
practices enforced to safeguard the contents and integrity of any classified
information or document from compromise or loss.

In the private sphere, security can be even further categorized, as shown below.
1. Industrial Security is a form of physical security involving industrial plants and
business enterprises. This involves the safeguarding of personnel, processes,
properties and operations.
2. Bank and Armor Security involves the protection resulting from the application of
various measure which safeguards cash and assets in storage, in transit, or
during transaction. For a threat to be effective, it must interact either directly or
indirectly with the asset. To separate the threat from the asset is to avoid a
possible interaction. Therefore it is possible to have total (100%) security if the
threat and the asset are completely separated from each other. Otherwise what
you have is safety of the asset which is provided by the controls you put on the
asset or the degree to which you lessen the impact of the threat.
3. Hotel Security involves using various measures of protection for the guests,
personnel, properties and functions in hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
4. V.I.P Security involves the protection of top-ranking officials of the government,
visiting persons of illustrious standing and foreign dignitaries.
5. Operational Security involves the protection of processes, formula, patents and
industrial and manufacturing activities from espionage, infiltration, loss,
compromise or infringement.
6. Communication Security involves the safeguard resulting from the application of
different measures which prevent or delay the enemy or unauthorized person
from gaining information through communication including transmission and
cryptographic.
 7. Mall / Commercial Security is the degree of protection against danger, loss and
crime inside malls. As a form of protection, it refers to system, structures and
processes that provide or improve mall security as a conditions.

HISTORY OF SECURITY

Historical Roots of Security. The historical roots of privates security agencies can
be traced back to thousands of years when the protection of life and personal property
were up to the individual, and later on passed to tribes, and then to cities. In pre-
historical times, man recognized the need to keep himself safe from both known and
unknown enemies such as animals, other inhabitants and to environment itself. He used
different methods to keep himself safe such as crafting weapons out of stone and metal,
building fire toward of animals, staying in caves or tree houses, and even staying in the
middle of the lake for protection.

The Greek of the ancient period were the ones who organized the first police
force in city states which they termed POLIS. The Romans, on the other hand,
established the praetorian guards known as VIGILES who were tasked to be fire
fighters.
In the Middle Ages during their invasion of England, the French formed a group
of carefully selected men called shires or sheriff to look after the peace and Order of the
different regions. The greatest influence in the history of security came from England. In
1655,
Oliver Cromwell set up in England and wales polices force that operated to
capture and punish criminals. In 1748, London magistrate Henry Fielding introduced the
concept of crime prevention by organizing citizen patrols or watchmen that not only
chased criminals for felony and misdemeanor but also served fielding purpose of
preventing crime ahead of time with their patrolling function. Fifty years later, English
home secretary sir Robert Peel formed the first formal department.

During the colonial period in the United States, immigrants from England, Ireland
and Scotland came to American shores bringing with them British approach to policing.
At the time, law enforcement officer had no deal with rampant crime in US cities and
had little time and resources left to deal with the protection of private property. Hence,
citizens who wanted protection for their private properties had to depend on the armed
immigrants who were prepared to deal with criminals. This watchman form of security
was to become the early version of private security practices that injure to this day (fay,
2006).

Brief History of Security in the Philippines

 The private security business begun on March 11, 1933 when the first formally
licensed private security agency “Special watchman agency” started operation.
Later it renamed “Jimenez Security Agency” founded by brothers Juan and Pedro
Jimenez;
 On May 30 1958, the Philippine association of detectives and protective agency
operations (PADPAO) was formally organized;
 RA.5487 was passed on June 13, 1969 thru the continuous lobbying of the
incorporators and officers of PADPAO, which set the standard and minimum
requirements for operations of security agencies.
 PD.11 was passed on October 3, 1972 widening the coverage of security
industry to include security guard employed in logging concessions, agricultural,
mining and pasture lands;
 PD.100 was issued on January 17 1973 broadening the coverage of security
industry to include employee of the national or local government or any agency
who are employed to watch or secure government building and properties.
  On August 1969, the Philippine Constabulary activated the security and
investigation supervisory office or SIASO to supervise and control the
organization and operation of private security and detective agency nationwide.
 Later it was renamed Philippine Constabulary Supervisory office for securityand
investigation agencies PCSOSIA;
 With the passage of RA.6975, this unit was absorbed by the Philippine National
Police;
 Later it was made into a division of the PNP civil security group and was
renamed security agency and guard supervisory division (SAGSD);
 It was renamed to PNP supervisory office for security investigation agency
(SOSIA)

LEGAL CONTEXT OF SECURITY

Man instinctively protects himself and those he holds dear (may it be property,
freedom or loved – ones) from danger or threat, with or without help from others. This is
the supreme law—the law of self- preservations.

UNIVERSAL DECLARATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The universal declarations of human rights, which was adopted by the United
Nations on 10 December 1948, guarantees such instinct to protect in article 3, which
states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of persons” (United
Nations, 1948, emphasis supplied.) The international covenant on civil in political rights,
a multilateral treaty also adopted by the United Nations on 16 December 1966, further
recognized this rights to security of person in article 9 (1). Which states that: “Everyone
has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary
arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds in
accordance
with such procedure as are established by law” (United Nations Human Rights 1966).

CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES

1987 Philippine Constitution enunciates the first and foremost duty of the
government which is to serve and protect the people.

 Article II, section 4. The prime duty of the government is to serve and protect
people. The government may call upon the people to defend the state and, in the
fulfilment thereof, all citizen may be required by law to render military or civilian
service.
 Article II, section 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life,
liberty, and property and the promotion of general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all people of the blessings of the democracy.
 Article 3, section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property
without due process of law, nor shall a person be denied the equal protection of
laws.
 Article 3, section 2. The right of people to be secured in their persons, houses
and papers, and the effects of unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever
nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable and no search warrant or warrant
of arrest shall be issued upon determination of probable cause to be determine
personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the
place to be search and persons or thing to be seized.

Statutory Mandates
 Act 3815 (revised penal code (RPC), as amended). The RPC also insure security
and safety of the people by prohibiting and penalizing certain acts such as:
 Crimes against the fundamental law of the state (arbitrary detention, delaying
release, expulsion, violation of domicile etc.), crimes against persons (Parricide,
murder, Homicide, physical injuries etc.), crimes against personal liberty and
security (kidnapping and illegal detention, unlawful arrest, etc.), crimes against
property (robbery, theft, etc.)
 Private Security Agency Law (RA 5487 as amended) Republic Act No. 5487 or
"An Act to Regulate the Organization and Operation of Private Detective,
Watchmen or Security Guards Agencies," is amended by Presidential Decree
No. 11 on October 3, 1972. In this particular law, the security guards, watchmen,
private detectives and the security officers are considered as force multipliers of
the Philippine National Police (PNP) because of the role they play in times of
disaster or calamities. The chief of the PNP or the mayor of a certain municipality
or city may deputize them to assist the PNP in the performance of the police
duties for the duration of such emergency disaster or calamity.
 Private security personnel „are called Protection Specialists because in the
present concept, the law enforcement and crime prevention are not solely
charged to the PNP. The five-pillar concept in criminal justice system calls for the
involvement of the private sector and the community to which much of the
success of law enforcement depends. Private security forces play a vital role in
this regard as they are a potent force in crime prevention. They have contributed
to the improvement of peace and order and the protection of lives and properties
in all areas of the country.
 The scope of the law covers originally promulgated and newly introduced rules
and regulations designed to professionalize the security industry. Revisions were
made to make the security business a more credible and reliable sector in our
country. New provisions include the rule on the utilization of security personnel in
certain types of services. The training program for private security personnel was
also expanded in order to develop skills and knowledge suitable to current and
future applications.
 Presidential Decree No. 1919 (Amending RA 5487 and PD 100)
 Presidential Decree No. 1919 amended further The Private Security Agency Law
on April 28, 1984 with the following changes:
a. Defining watchman or security guard to include those from government
entities
b. Specifying the employment of a minimum of 200 and a maximum of I,000
licensed security guards for any private security agency
c. Specifying 30 to 1,000 company guards for company guard forces.
 RA 5487, as amended the private security agency law which governs the
organization, operation business and activities of private detectives, watchmen,
or security guard agencies.
 PD. No. 11. As amended certain provisions of RA.5487, such as section 3 (d)
which defines a watchman or security guard, watchman or security guard
agency, section 4, specifying person who may organize a security or watchmen
agency, and section 18
 PD.No.100. amended sec. 3d, section 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and paragraph 3 of section
16 of RA.5487
 PD. No. 1919. Amended section 3d, section 18, paragraph 3 of section 8,
paragraph 1 of section 16 of RA.5487.