THE Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group yesterday honored two security guards who prevented a group of motorcycle-riding thieves from robbing a bank depositor in Muntinlupa City Monday.

Security guards Nick Sumagaysay and Elwen Merle, both of the Gamilla Security Services, Inc. were given special citations for bravery by PNP-CSG director Chief Supt. Roque G. Ramirez in a brief ceremony in Camp Crame.

Aside from the citations, the guards also received P5,000 each from the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators headed by Ramon D. Bergado.

“Sumagaysay and Merle are fine examples of brave security guards who will risk their lives in the performance of their duties,” Ramirez said.

The guards were manning their post at the Allied Bank branch in Bellevue Hotel, Alabang, when the three suspects tried to rob Hayde Tolentino, cashier of Prime Consortium Lending Institution, and her driver Jenco Batoon.

Armed with shotguns, the duo engaged the suspects in a firefight killing one of the gunmen. The two other robbers escaped on two motorcycles.

Sumagaysay’s and Merle’s courage prevented the suspects from taking away P380,000 cash being carried by Tolentino and Batoon.    Alfred Dalizon