September of last year, a shooting in SM
Pampanga happened. It was a murder committed by a 13-year old boy to his
ex-lover –a 16-year old boy. The murder was followed immediately by a suicide of
the murderer. Based on investigation, everything done was planned by the
13-year old boy. If only the SM management implemented a strict bag inspection,
the plan of the boy should not have been successful. Being a consumer and goer
in SM malls and other closed establishments, it is bothering to know that
people carrying deadly weapons can actually enter a building and stand near
innocent people. Not only SM malls but also all the non-residential buildings
should strictly implement bag inspection because it will ensure the safety of
the people inside an establishment, avoid successful attacks by terrorists, and
train people to follow rules.
People
do not want strict bag inspection because they say that it is an invasion of
their privacy. I think, although searching a person’s bag is a breach of
privacy, if there is a decent reason like possible possession of illegal drugs
or things that may threaten the security of the people, it is perfectly fine.
Moreover, I think it is not too much for us to sacrifice a small portion of our
privacy for the sake of public safety. Besides, if there is nothing one has to
hide in his bag, why would it matter if someone checks his belongings?
Another
strong reason why people do not want strict bag inspection is because it will
create long lines in the door or gates of the establishments. Yes, it is really
a problem, but I think we can do something to make the inspection faster. We
can organize our things; pack all items in neat layers, put all the papers in a
folder, put the wires in a ziplock or any transparent bag so it does not need
to be opened anymore, and etc. By doing those things, we are not only helping
the guards to identify our belongings, we are also being more clean and orderly
about the things in our bags. Another benefit we can get from the long lines is
the willingness and endeavor of the people to arrive early. They will desire to
avoid the hassle and tardiness due to the long lines, so they will have a
tendency to go to their work or school earlier.
Bag
inspection should be strictly implemented to ensure the safety of the people
inside an establishment. Safety is one of the basic needs of a person according
to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is next to food, shelter, clothing
and family, so I believe it is one of the things that should be given priority.
Through bag inspections, deadly weapons will surely be out of the building,
therefore giving more confidence to the people. Alcohol and drugs will also be
out of the building so it will prevent unconscious actions of people. It will
prevent riots, brawling and etc.
Strict
implementation of bag inspection will also avoid successful attacks by
terrorists. Explosive devices often used by the terrorists for mall bombing
will not be inside the premises of the establishment because it will be seen
immediately even before entering the mall. Whatever attacks they have in mind
will not be accomplished because their weapons and paraphernalia will not be
inside the establishment. As a result, this will give a good image of the
government.
As
they say, if you can be trusted with simple things, you can be also trusted
with complicated or big things. Strict implementation of simple rules like this
will train the people to follow rules. If they can follow this rule, then most
likely, they can follow more complicated rules. People will not bring things
that are not supposed to be brought because they know they will only be
prohibited to enter the building. It is the same as; people will not do what is
wrong according to the law because they know they will only suffer in the end.
What
happened in SM Pampanga is not the first shooting that happened in SM malls.
There is a shooting happened on Sept 14, 2011 committed by Shella Macapugay to
her husband in SM North EDSA. Another is a shootout happened July 29, 2011 in
SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo
City Philippines
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