KORONADAL CITY — To restore public confidence and prevent any repeat of the recent infant abduction, the South Cotabato Provincial Government has taken decisive action by implementing sweeping security enhancements at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH).
Eleuterio Nodado, Security IV and head of the Provincial Security Unit (PSU), said immediate corrective actions were taken to address the lapses identified, which is to reassign and sanction the three security guards involved in the incident.
He affirmed that the government is committed to tightening every layer of hospital security.
Nodado also ordered the enforcement of the complete ban on cellphone use among guards on duty, to ensure no distractions during critical monitoring hours.
“Ginabawalan naton nga mag-cellphone ang mga guwardya sa tion sang duty. Dapat naka-focus gid sila sa pagbantay ilabi na sa entrance kag exit sang ospital,” Nodado stressed.
(“We have prohibited guards from using their cellphones while on duty. Their full attention must be on monitoring, especially at the hospital’s entrances and exits.”)
Nodado also acknowledged existing blind spots in the hospital’s CCTV coverage, but assured the public that the provincial government is already taking action to strengthen surveillance systems.
“May kakulangan kita sa CCTV kag ginapangitaan na naton ina sang paagi. Pero samtang nagahulat sang bag-o nga equipment, dapat hugot gid ang pagbantay sang tanan nga guwardya,” he added.
(“We recognize that there are CCTV limitations, and we are working on solutions. While waiting for new equipment, every guard must ensure strict and vigilant monitoring.”)
As part of accountability measures, three security guards, one regular and two Job Order personnel are being sanctioned and reassigned.
This is to reinforce the province’s stand that lapses must be addressed with both discipline and system improvements.
The PSU also confirmed that security personnel were the first to respond at the PNP office when an initial suspect was cornered at the Koronadal City public terminal.
Although the parents later verified that the individual was not the abductor, authorities have since shifted their search and are now following active leads, including a possible suspect in the Polomolok area.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains in full force, with all provincial units coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies.
The Provincial Government assured the public that security reforms are not just reactive, but long-term measures to strengthen hospital safety. These include tighter guard deployment, enhanced surveillance, and more stringent gatekeeping protocols.
The province reiterated its commitment, patient safety is non-negotiable, and every action taken is aimed at ensuring that such an incident will never happen again.
